Vitamin B6 Research
45 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Frivaldszky L et al. • Nutrients (2026)
Conclusions: This study indicates that both pharmacological (vitamin B6, metoclopramide, dimenhydrinate) and non-pharmacological (ginger, quince, acupressure, acupuncture) interventions might be effective in reducing symptoms of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
- Background: Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy affects up to 80% of pregnant women and may progress to hyperemesis gravidarum, leading to maternal morbidity and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Risk of bias was low to moderate.
- Discussion: Most interventions demonstrated significant benefit over a placebo.
Effect of nutritional interventions on the psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in women of reproductive age: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Robinson J et al. • Nutrition reviews (2025)
There is some evidence to support the use of nutritional interventions for improving psychological symptoms of PMS.
- There is some evidence to support the use of nutritional interventions for improving psychological symptoms of PMS.
- However, more research using consistent protocols, procedures to minimize risk of bias, intention-to-treat analysis, and clearer reporting is required to provide conclusive nutritional recommendations for improving PMS-related psychological outcomes.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Interventions to Attenuate Cardiovascular Calcification Progression: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
Murali S et al. • Journal of the American Heart Association (2023)
Currently, there are insufficient or conflicting data for interventions evaluated in clinical trials for mitigation of cardiovascular calcification.
- Currently, there are insufficient or conflicting data for interventions evaluated in clinical trials for mitigation of cardiovascular calcification.
- Therapy involving aged garlic extract appears most promising, but evaluable studies were small and of short duration.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Dosage exploration of combined B-vitamin supplementation in stroke prevention: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Zhang N et al. • The American journal of clinical nutrition (2024)
Our meta-analysis found that the folic acid combined with vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 supplementation strategy significantly reduced the risk of stroke in areas without and with partial folic acid fortification.
- In areas without and with partial folic acid fortification, combined B-vitamin supplementation significantly reduced the risk of stroke by 34% [RR: 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50, 0.86] and 11% (RR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.00), respectively.
- Further analysis showed that a dosage of folic acid ≤0.8 mg/d and vitamin B12 ≤0.4 mg/d was best for stroke prevention (RR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.86) in these areas.
- In contrast, no benefit of combined supplementation was found in fortified areas (RR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.16).
Safety and efficacy of vitamin B in cancer treatments: A systematic review
Van de Roovaart HJ et al. • Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (2024)
In this systematic review we concluded that B vitamin supplements have varying data regarding safety and efficacy in cancer.
- In this systematic review we concluded that B vitamin supplements have varying data regarding safety and efficacy in cancer.
- Taking into account the etiology of the cancer, the specific B-vitamin, and the presence of any side effects could help guide utilization of the data found in this review.
- Large, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings among various cancer diagnoses and stages.
Effects of Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Depressive Symptoms, and Fatigue: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression
Markun S et al. • Nutrients (2021)
Vitamin B12 supplementation is likely ineffective for improving cognitive function and depressive symptoms in patients without advanced neurological disorders.
- Further, meta-regression showed no significant associations of treatment effects with any of the potential predictors.
- We also found no overall effect of vitamin supplementation on measures of depression.
- Further, only one study reported effects on idiopathic fatigue, and therefore, no analysis was possible.
Pharmacological treatment strategies for antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Lu Z et al. • Translational psychiatry (2022)
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Vitamin B6.
- Antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia (AP-induced HPRL) occurs overall in up to 70% of patients with schizophrenia, which is associated with hypogonadism and sexual dysfunction.
- Pharmacological treatment strategies for AP-induced HPRL depends on initial PRL level.
- No effective strategy was found for patients with AP-induced HPRL less than 50 ng/ml, while adjunctive ARI, switching to ARI in titration and adjunctive high-dose vitamin B6 showed better PRL decrease effect on AP-induced HPRL more than 50 ng/ml.© 2022.
Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysis
Hu Y et al. • The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians (2022)
Ginger supplementation significantly relieve general NVP symptom and nausea compared with placebo, but no significant effect on vomiting.
- Ginger supplementation significantly relieve general NVP symptom and nausea compared with placebo, but no significant effect on vomiting.
- Moreover, ginger is more effective than vitamin B6 in treating NVP, although, there were no significant differences.
- Further, rigidly designed RCTs with larger sample sizes are needed to verify the effectiveness of ginger supplementation for treatment NVP compared with vitamin B6.
Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life
Rutjes AW et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
We did not find evidence that any vitamin or mineral supplementation strategy for cognitively healthy adults in mid or late life has a meaningful effect on cognitive decline or dementia, although the evidence does not permit definitive conclusions.
- We found that giving B vitamin supplements to cognitively healthy adults, mainly in their 60s and 70s, probably has little or no effect on global cognitive function at any time point up to 5 years (SMD values from -0.03 to 0.06) and may also have no effect at 5-10 years (SMD -0.01).
- We found low- to moderate-certainty evidence of no effect of vitamin D3 and calcium supplements at any time-point up to 10 years on overall cognitive function (MD after a mean of 7.8 years -0.1 MMSE points, 95% CI -0.81 to 0.61) or the incidence of dementia (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.24).
- There was moderate-certainty evidence of little or no effect on overall cognitive function (MD 0.6 MMSE points, 95% CI -0.19 to 1.39) or on the incidence of cognitive impairment after 5 years to 10 years.
Drug Efficacy in the Treatment of Antipsychotic-Induced Akathisia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Gerolymos C et al. • JAMA network open (2024)
In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, mirtazapine, biperiden, and vitamin B6 were associated with the greatest efficacy for AIA, with vitamin B6 having the best efficacy and tolerance profile.
- No association between effect sizes and psychotic severity was found.
- In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, mirtazapine, biperiden, and vitamin B6 were associated with the greatest efficacy for AIA, with vitamin B6 having the best efficacy and tolerance profile.
- Trazodone, mianserin, and propranolol appeared as effective alternatives with slightly less favorable efficacy and tolerance profiles.
Treatments for Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
McParlin C et al. • JAMA (2016)
For mild symptoms of nausea and emesis of pregnancy, ginger, pyridoxine, antihistamines, and metoclopramide were associated with greater benefit than placebo.
- For mild symptoms of nausea and emesis of pregnancy, ginger, pyridoxine, antihistamines, and metoclopramide were associated with greater benefit than placebo.
- Ondansetron was associated with improvement for a range of symptom severity.
- Corticosteroids may be associated with benefit in severe cases.
B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Young LM et al. • Nutrients (2019)
B vitamin supplementation benefited stress (SMD = 0.23, p = 0.03).
- 18 articles with 2015 participants
- Significant benefit for stress
- 5 of 8 at-risk cohort studies showed benefit
A systematic review on the impact of nutrition and possible supplementation on the deficiency of vitamin complexes, iron, omega-3-fatty acids, and lycopene in relation to increased morbidity in women after menopause
Wylenzek F et al. • Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (2024)
In conclusion, maintaining optimum serum levels of nutrients and vitamins, either through a balanced and healthy diet consuming fresh fruits, vegetables, and fats or by taking appropriate supplementation, is essential in maintaining optimal health-related quality of life and reducing the risk for women during the menopausal transition and after menopause.
- Nevertheless, more recent studies need to be assessed to formulate adequate recommendations to achieve positive clinical outcomes.
- Published in Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Association between neuropathy and B-vitamins: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Stein J et al. • European journal of neurology (2021)
PN is associated with lowered plasma vitamin B12 and elevated methylmalonic acid and homocysteine.
- B12 treatment (vs. the comparators) showed a non-significant association with symptom improvement (1.36 (0.66-2.79), n = 4, I2 = 28.9%).
- Treatment with B1 was associated with a significant improvement in symptoms (5.34 [1.87-15.19], n = 3, I2 = 64.6%, p = 0.059).
- Analysis of seven trials combined showed a non-significant higher odds ratio for improvement under treatment with the B-vitamins (2.58 [0.98-6.79], I2 = 80.0%, p < 0.001).
The Role of Vitamin B6 in Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review
Muhamad R et al. • Nutrients (2023)
Current scientific evidence supports a neurotoxic role of B6 at high levels.
- Current scientific evidence supports a neurotoxic role of B6 at high levels.
- Although some studies suggest that low B6 is also a potential risk factor, further studies in this area are needed.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of Nutritional Supplements and Dietary Interventions on Cardiovascular Outcomes: An Umbrella Review and Evidence Map
Khan SU et al. • Annals of internal medicine (2019)
Reduced salt intake, omega-3 LC-PUFA use, and folate supplementation could reduce risk for some cardiovascular outcomes in adults.
- Reduced salt intake, omega-3 LC-PUFA use, and folate supplementation could reduce risk for some cardiovascular outcomes in adults.
- Combined calcium plus vitamin D might increase risk for stroke.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The effect of B-vitamins on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Miao Y et al. • Nutrition reviews (2024)
Vitamin B supplementation resulted in the greatest cardiovascular benefit in those with normal renal function and without unstable angina or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction recently.
- Supplementation with folic acid was reported to have a clinical benefit of significantly reducing carotid intima-media thickness.
- Vitamin B supplementation resulted in the greatest cardiovascular benefit in those with normal renal function and without unstable angina or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction recently.
- Factors such as age, gender, and genetic polymorphisms contribute to varying effects.
Treatment of seizures in the neonate: Guidelines and consensus-based recommendations-Special report from the ILAE Task Force on Neonatal Seizures
Pressler RM et al. • Epilepsia (2023)
Epilepsia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.
- Fifth, treating neonatal seizures (including electrographic-only seizures) to achieve a lower seizure burden may be associated with improved outcome (expert agreement).
- Sixth, a trial of pyridoxine may be attempted in neonates presenting with clinical features of vitamin B6-dependent epilepsy and seizures unresponsive to second-line ASM (expert agreement).
- Additional considerations include a standardized pathway for the management of neonatal seizures in each neonatal unit and informing parents/guardians about the diagnosis of seizures and initial treatment options.© 2023 The Authors.
Breast Milk Micronutrients and Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Lockyer F et al. • Nutrients (2021)
This highlights the need for further research in this area to understand the long-term influence of micronutrients in breast milk, the role of other breast milk micronutrients in infant neurodevelopmental outcomes, and the impact of possible lactational interventions.
- Limited eligible literature and heterogeneity between included papers prevented quantitative synthesis.
- Insufficient evidence was identified, precluding any conclusions on the relationship between breast milk micronutrients and infant developmental outcomes.
- Further, the evidence available was limited by a high risk of bias.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of pasteurization on milk vitamins, and evidence for raw milk consumption and other health-related outcomes
Macdonald LE et al. • Journal of food protection (2011)
Overall, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the poor quality of reported methodology in many of the included studies.
- However, milk is an important dietary source of vitamin B2, and the impact of heat treatment should be further considered.
- Raw milk consumption may have a protective association with allergy development (six studies), although this relationship may be potentially confounded by other farming-related factors.
- Raw milk consumption was not associated with cancer (two studies) or lactose intolerance (one study).