Vitamin B6 intake by Koreans should be based on sufficient amount and a variety of food sources.

Objectives: This study estimated dietary vitamin B6 intake and its food sources in young Koreans by using a modified Korean vitamin B6 database.

Methods: Dietary vitamin B6 intake and food sources were estimated from a 3-d recall method for 294 Korean college undergraduates (149 men and 145 women, age range 17 approximately 25 y) who had no health problems. Food portions were estimated by using standard household measurements and published average portions.

Results: Average daily intakes of vitamin B6 were 1.57 mg/d in men and 1.44 mg/d in women. Average consumptions of vitamin B6 were 104% of the Korean recommended dietary allowance in men for vitamin B6 and 102% in women. However, 37% of men and 32% of women subjects consumed less than 75% of the Korean recommended dietary allowance for vitamin B6. Major dietary sources of vitamin B6 for Korean young men were pork, rice, onion, potatoes, garlic, mackerel, spinach, egg, carrot, and chicken. Major dietary sources of vitamin B6 for young Korean women were rice, pork, kimchi, beef, bean sprout, potatoes, dumplings, and onions. As for major dietary sources of vitamin B6, the top 20 foods provided nearly 89% of total vitamin B6 in men and 70% of total vitamin B6 in women.

Conclusions: Intake of vitamin B6 by young Koreans was adequate in general, but the supply of vitamin B6 for Koreans should be based on sufficient amounts and specific food sources because fewer foods contribute to vitamin B6 intake of Koreans and these foods are mainly of plant origin and less bioavailable.