DESCRIPTION: Identified in 1934, vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that occurs in three different forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Because pyridoxine is found in supplements and is used the most, vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine. For pyridoxamine the CH2OH group in the 4 position is replaced by CH2NH2 and for pyridoxal the CH2OH group is replaced by CHO.

B6 must be converted to its active form pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) to perform bodily functions.