Vitamin B6. Computer model of a molecule of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). Atoms are represented as rods and are colour-coded: carbon (blue),hydrogen (white),nitrogen (purple) and oxygen (orange). This vitamin is found in a wide variety of foods,including poultry,fish,liver,vegetables,yeast and bananas. It is essential for the synthesis of amino acids,the building blocks of proteins. Deficiency of vitamin B6 is rare but may be caused by the use of hormonal contraceptives. Symptoms of deficiency include depression,insomnia,water retention and the inability to process glucose |