Dietary reference values: advice on vitamin B6

Published:

24 June 2016

2 minutes read

EFSA has set dietary reference values for vitamin Dietary substance needed in very small amounts to support normal growth and maintenance of health in humans and animals. Most vitamins are 'essential' as they are not made within the body. B6 as part of its review of scientific advice on nutrient An element or compound needed for normal growth, development and health maintenance. Essential nutrients cannot be made by the body and must, therefore, be consumed from food. intakes.

The Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition The science of how diet relates to the body's need for sustenance. and Allergies (NDA) set daily population Community of humans, animals or plants from the same species. reference intakes (PRIs) of vitamin B6 as follows:

0.3 mg for infants aged 7-11 months;
0.6 to 1.4 mg for children aged 1-14;
1.7 mg for men and boys aged 15-17, and 1.6 mg for women and girls aged 15-17;
1.8 mg for pregnant women and 1.7 mg for lactating women.

The Panel derived the PRIs for vitamin B6 using new data establishing the average requirement The level of a nutrient in the diet that meets the daily needs of half the people in a typical healthy population. ( AR The average requirement (AR) is the level of a nutrient in the diet that meets the daily needs of half the people in a typical healthy population.) of vitamin B6 for women. The Panel used these data to extrapolate ARs for men, children, infants, as well as for pregnant and lactating women, and calculated PRIs for all age groups. The Panel recommends that studies be conducted on vitamin B6 requirements for these population groups.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in the human body. It contributes to the body’s energy metabolism The total sum of physical and chemical processes that occur within living organisms., the normal functioning of the nervous system, red blood cell formation and the regulation of hormonal activity. Foods that contain vitamin B6 include fish, poultry, liver, potatoes and non-citrus fruit.

EFSA received comments and input on the draft opinion during a six-week public consultation.