Vitamin B6 in Elite Athletes: Potential Implications of High Intakes.

IF 11 1区医学 Q1 SPORT SCIENCES

Sports Medicine Pub Date : 2026-11-01 Epub Date: 2026-09-12 DOI:10.1007/s40279-026-02534-0

Thomas Valente van Keulen, Nathan A Lewis, Charles R Pedlar

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Vitamin B6 plays a role in over 100 enzymatic reactions, and it is purported that athletes have higher requirements compared with the general population. Deficiency, while rare, may lead to adverse symptoms if severe or prolonged. Conversely, excessive intake may increase the risk of toxicity. This article discusses the potential implications of high vitamin B6 exposure in athletes and includes illustrative observational data on plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) from routine biomarker monitoring in elite athletes. Observation-level deficiencies (< 30 nmol/L; 5.2%) and raised (> 125 nmol/L; 38.7%) PLP measurements (n = 654) in elite athletes (N = 396) participating in routine biomarker screening, alongside implications of possible intakes above athletes' requirements are discussed. Athletes' use of nutritional supplements, sports beverages, or even intravenous nutrition, which contain highly bioavailable doses of vitamin B6, are a plausible contributor to the observed high PLP concentrations. Chronic total vitamin B6 intake above 21 mg/day, particularly with low protein intake, may increase toxicity risk.

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优秀运动员的维生素B6：高摄入量的潜在影响。

维生素B6在100多种酶促反应中起作用，据说运动员比一般人对维生素B6的需求量更高。缺乏，虽然罕见，可能导致不良症状，如果严重或长期。相反，过量摄入可能会增加中毒的风险。本文讨论了高维生素B6暴露对运动员的潜在影响，并包括来自精英运动员常规生物标志物监测的血浆吡哆醛5'-磷酸（PLP）的说明性观察数据。本文讨论了参加常规生物标志物筛选的优秀运动员（n = 396）的观察水平缺陷（125 nmol/L; 38.7%） PLP测量（n = 654），以及可能超过运动员要求的摄入量的影响。运动员使用含有高生物利用剂量维生素B6的营养补充剂、运动饮料，甚至静脉营养，可能是观察到的高PLP浓度的一个原因。长期摄入超过21毫克/天的总维生素B6，特别是低蛋白质摄入，可能会增加毒性风险。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Sports Medicine 医学-运动科学

CiteScore

18.40

自引率

5.10%

发文量

165

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Sports Medicine focuses on providing definitive and comprehensive review articles that interpret and evaluate current literature, aiming to offer insights into research findings in the sports medicine and exercise field. The journal covers major topics such as sports medicine and sports science, medical syndromes associated with sport and exercise, clinical medicine's role in injury prevention and treatment, exercise for rehabilitation and health, and the application of physiological and biomechanical principles to specific sports. Types of Articles: Review Articles: Definitive and comprehensive reviews that interpret and evaluate current literature to provide rationale for and application of research findings. Leading/Current Opinion Articles: Overviews of contentious or emerging issues in the field. Original Research Articles: High-quality research articles. Enhanced Features: Additional features like slide sets, videos, and animations aimed at increasing the visibility, readership, and educational value of the journal's content. Plain Language Summaries: Summaries accompanying articles to assist readers in understanding important medical advances. Peer Review Process: All manuscripts undergo peer review by international experts to ensure quality and rigor. The journal also welcomes Letters to the Editor, which will be considered for publication.