Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Vitamin B6
Overview & Description
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that can be dissolved in water. It is one of the B-complex vitamins.
Information
The Recommended Dietary Allowance, called RDA, for vitamin B6 for men is 2 milligrams (mcg) per day; for women, it's 1.6 mcg per day. People who eat a well-balanced diet should get enough vitamin B6. Most people do not need to take supplements. Someone with a vitamin B6 deficiency can suffer from:
A person can get too much vitamin B6. This only happens when high doses, more than 50 to 500 times the RDA, are taken over months or years. This can cause temporary or permanent nerve damage.
Functions and Sources
What food source is the nutrient found in?
Vitamin B6 is found in legumes such as peas and beans, nuts, eggs, meats, fish, whole grains and fortified breads and cereals.
How does the nutrient affect the body?
Vitamin B6 helps the body:
Attribution
Author:Kimberly Tessmer, RD, LD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:09/30/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:09/26/02