What is the Difference Between Vitamin B6 and B12

The main difference between vitamin B6 and B12 is that vitamin B6 helps to regulate hormones whereas vitamin B12 is essential in nerve function and DNA synthesis.

Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are two essential micronutrients. They participate in red cell production and help boost immunity. Generally, vitamin B6 occurs in meat, fish, chickpeas, potatoes, and other starchy vegetables, while vitamin B12 occurs in clams, fish, meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Vitamin B6
   • Definition, Structure, Function
2. What is Vitamin B12
   • Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Vitamin B6 and B12
   • Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Vitamin B6 and B12
   • Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Micronutrients, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12

What is Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is a type of vitamin B, an essential nutrient. Generally, the active form of vitamin B6 is pyridoxal 5′-phosphate. It also serves as a coenzyme for more than 140 forms of enzymes in the body. These enzymatic reactions include lipid, glucose, and amino acid metabolism. Plants synthesize vitamin B6 in order to protect themselves from UVB radiation. However, animals cannot synthesize vitamins and take them through diet or through supplements.

Figure 1: Vitamin B6

Furthermore, meat, fish, chickpeas, potatoes, and other starchy vegetables contain vitamin B6. Although the dietary deficiency of vitamin B6 is rare, the main symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency include rash and inflammation around the mouth and eyes and neurological effects that include drowsiness and peripheral neuropathy affecting sensory and motor nerves in the hands and feet.

What is Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 or cobalamin is a water-soluble vitamin: type of vitamin B. The main function of vitamin B12 is to serve as a cofactor in DNA synthesis, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism. Moreover, vitamin B12 is important in the normal function of the nervous system and the maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Figure 2: Vitamin B12

Moreover, in supplements, methylcobalamin is the naturally-occurring form of vitamin B12, mainly found in animal-based foods. The main characteristic feature of methylcobalamin is the presence of octahedral cobalt (III) center. It naturally occurs as bright red crystals. Methylcobalamin also contains a metal-alkyl bond. Physiologically, it is equivalent to vitamin B12. Therefore, methylcobalamin is important in preventing and treating vitamin B12 deficiency.

Similarities Between Vitamin B6 and B12

• Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are two types of vitamin B, which is a water-soluble vitamin.
• Moreover, their function is to serve as cofactors in lipid, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolism.
• In addition, they participate in red cell production and help boost immunity.

Difference Between Vitamin B6 and B12

Definition

Vitamin B6 refers to pyridoxine, which is a water-soluble vitamin found naturally in many foods, as well as added to foods and supplements, while vitamin B12 refers to cobalamin, which is a water-soluble vitamin involved in metabolism.  

Also Known As

Usually, Vitamin B6 refers to pyridoxine while vitamin B12 refers to cobalamin.

Source

Vitamin B6 occurs in meat, fish, chickpeas, potatoes, and other starchy vegetables. Generally, vitamin B12 occurs in clams, fish, meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Importance

Generally, vitamin B6 works to regulate hormones whereas vitamin B12 is essential in nerve function and DNA synthesis.  

Conclusion

In brief, vitamin B6 is a type of vitamin B. It also refers to pyridoxine when in its active form. It occurs in meat, fish, chickpeas, potatoes, and other starchy vegetables. The main function of vitamin B6 is to regulate hormones. In contrast, vitamin B12 or cobalamin is a type of vitamin B12 important in nerve function and DNA synthesis. Normally, gut bacteria produce vitamin B12. However, the main difference between vitamin B6 and B12 is their function.

References:

1. Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, August 10). Vitamin B6. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
2. Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, August 6). Vitamin B12. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 15, 2022.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Pyridoxal-phosphate ” By Fvasconcellos – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cobalamin skeletal ” By Hbf878 – Own Work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia