Vitamin B6

What it is

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble B vitamin used in a large share of the formulations we quote, from multivitamins and energy blends to nootropic and hormonal-support products. It acts as a coenzyme in over one hundred reactions, most of them in amino acid and energy metabolism.

Forms and sourcing

The workhorse form is pyridoxine hydrochloride, a stable, well-characterised powder suited to capsules, tablets, powders and gummies. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P) is the pre-activated coenzyme form, often specified in premium formulations. Both are widely available from audited suppliers with full certificates of analysis.

Benefits and evidence

Vitamin B6 has one of the strongest claim positions of any active: EFSA-authorised health claims cover the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal psychological function, normal immune function, normal homocysteine metabolism and the regulation of hormonal activity. That claim set is why B6 appears so often in energy, focus and women’s health briefs.

Typical dosage and formats

The UK Nutrient Reference Value is 1.4 mg. Typical supplement inclusions run from 1.4 mg to 10 mg per daily dose; long-term intakes at high levels are subject to safety guidance, so most briefs stay conservative. B6 is undemanding to formulate and works in every format we manufacture, including capsules, tablets, powders, stick packs and gummies.

UK and EU regulatory position

Vitamin B6 is a permitted vitamin for food supplements in the UK and EU, with pyridoxine hydrochloride and pyridoxal-5-phosphate both listed as approved source forms. The authorised health claims above may be used on-pack when the product supplies at least 15% of the NRV per daily dose. Labelling must state the amount per dose and the %NRV. High-dose products should take account of the safety guidance on long-term intakes; our technical team advises on the right level for each brief during formulation.