Vitamin B6 vs. Vitamin B12

Difference Between Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 Vitamins are nutrients that help in the proper operation of enzymes…

Difference Between Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12

Vitamins are nutrients that help in the proper operation of enzymes and maintenance of metabolic pathways in a body. Food stuffs are the rich sources of vitamins and every one of them have specific functions. There are water soluble and water insoluble vitamins. Vitamin B6 is a water soluble vitamin with many sub divisions. This vitamin is a vital ingredient for the normal operations of about 100 enzymes that are involved in protein metabolism. There are three forms of Vitamin B6 which are Pyridoxine, pyridoxamine and pyridoxal.

Also a water soluble vitamin, Vitamin B12 has subdivisions like such as Methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin which are important in human metabolism. Vitamin B12 needs the cobalt co-factor and known as ‘cobalamines’.

Vitamin B6

A vital ingredient for RBC metabolism and smooth operation of nervous system and immunity system, Vitamin B6 is found in cooked cereals, poultry, meat, fish, fruits, vegetables etc. It converts Tryptophan to niacin.

It maintains the blood glucose level, generates haemoglobin, produces antibody and is also vital for properly functioning immunity response. Its deficiency causes depression, confusion, dermatitis, glossitis, convulsions and also anemic scenarios. However these symptoms happen due to a collective deficiency and not due to a single vitamin deficit.

An adult should intake maximum of 100 mg vitamin B6 per day and overdose shows undesirable effects like neuropathy.

Vitamin B12

This water soluble vitamin is found in all sorts animal products . However they are found in a bonded form and are released on the hydrochloric acid and gastric protease reaction. The deficiency of this vitamin which plays a key factor in the RBC formation, synthesis of DNA and nervous tissue functions causes pernicious anaemia which is found among the elder people and if left untreated leads to irreversible megaloblastic anaemia and nervous system disorders. It forms methyl malonyl CoA and synthesizes and repairs myelin. The intake of vitamin B12 in daily diet is different according to individual. As vegetarian food stuffs do not have ample amounts of vitamin B12 and people need oral and sublingual supplements.

Both these vitamins convert homocysteine to methionine. Unlike the Vitamin B6 the Vitamin B12 needs a transcobalamin molecule to carry the vitamin to the tissues. There is an intrinsic factor which mediates the absorption of the Vitamin B12.The vitamin B12 which is found in a bound state in animal food is bound to haptocorrin (R-protein) and it needs pancreatic enzymes action to be released.

There is very less deficiency symptom vitamin B6 however serious deficiency can cause Pellagra.

Both vitamins can decrease homo-cysteine level in blood and both can affect neurological functions.

 

 

 

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