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B69.0
Vitamin B6 Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
41 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Vitamin B6 appears to help in 9 of 11 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1999–2026 with a typical study size of 478 participants.
Based on 41 studies · 14 meta-analyses · 13 RCTs · 210,832 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
9helped1unclear1didn't help· 30 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Women's healthMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks · Supports healthy estrogen metabolism and hormonal equilibrium · 4-8 weeks · May help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles · Provides essential nutrients for healthy pregnancy · Ongoing
25 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
199920122026
1Meta-Analysisn=3,017 · very large study2026
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.
Frivaldszky L et al. · Nutrients (2026)
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.
2Systematic ReviewCited 16×n=3,254 · very large study2025
There is some evidence to support the use of nutritional interventions for improving psychological symptoms of PMS.
Robinson J et al. · Nutrition reviews (2025)
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.
4Stroke risk reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 12×n=76,664 · very large study2024
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.
Zhang N et al. · The American journal of clinical nutrition (2024)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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).
5Safety and efficacy in cancer treatmentsSystematic ReviewCited 11×n=1,200 · large study2024
In this systematic review we concluded that B vitamin supplements have varying data regarding safety and efficacy in cancer.
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.
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.
6Antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia treatmentMeta-AnalysisCited 42×n=1,999 · large study2022
This meta-analysis examined the effects of Vitamin B6.
Lu Z et al. · Translational psychiatry (2022)
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.
7Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy treatmentMeta-AnalysisCited 19×n=1,174 · large study2022
Ginger supplementation significantly relieve general NVP symptom and nausea compared with placebo, but no significant effect on vomiting.
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.
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.
8Global cognitive functionMeta-AnalysisCited 120×n=83,000 · very large study2018
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.
Rutjes AW et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
Barely noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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.
9Antipsychotic-induced akathisia treatment efficacyMeta-AnalysisCited 15×n=492 · medium study2024
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.
Gerolymos C et al. · JAMA network open (2024)
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.
10Nausea and vomiting in pregnancySystematic ReviewCited 105×n=8,930 · very large study2016
For mild symptoms of nausea and emesis of pregnancy, ginger, pyridoxine, antihistamines, and metoclopramide were associated with greater benefit than placebo.
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.
Ondansetron was associated with improvement for a range of symptom severity.
Corticosteroids may be associated with benefit in severe cases.
12Nutritional deficiencies and morbiditySystematic ReviewCited 15×n=90 · small study2024
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.
Wylenzek F et al. · Archives of gynecology and obstetrics (2024)
Nevertheless, more recent studies need to be assessed to formulate adequate recommendations to achieve positive clinical outcomes.
13Neuropathy symptom improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 49×n=46 · small study2021
PN is associated with lowered plasma vitamin B12 and elevated methylmalonic acid and homocysteine.
Stein J et al. · European journal of neurology (2021)
Huge harm
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Borderline
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).
16Cardiovascular disease prevention and treatmentMeta-AnalysisCited 21×2024
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.
Miao Y et al. · Nutrition reviews (2024)
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.
17Effects of pasteurization on milk vitamins and health outcomesMeta-AnalysisCited 61×2011
Overall, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the poor quality of reported methodology in many of the included studies.
Macdonald LE et al. · Journal of food protection (2011)
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).
19Stress levels in womenSystematic ReviewCited 27×2017
The current review suggests that EFAs may be effective in reducing prenatal stress and salivary cortisol and may reduce anxiety during premenstrual syndrome and during menopause in the absence of depression.
McCabe D et al. · JBI database of systematic reviews and implementation reports (2017)
The current review suggests that EFAs may be effective in reducing prenatal stress and salivary cortisol and may reduce anxiety during premenstrual syndrome and during menopause in the absence of depression.
Magnesium and vitamin B6 may be effective in combination in reducing premenstrual stress, and vitamin B6 alone may reduce anxiety effectively in older women.
High-dose sustained-release vitamin C may reduce anxiety and mitigate increased blood pressure in response to stress.
20Nausea symptoms in pregnancyMeta-AnalysisCited 117×2014
This review suggests potential benefits of ginger in reducing nausea symptoms in pregnancy (bearing in mind the limited number of studies, variable outcome reporting and low quality of evidence).
Viljoen E et al. · Nutrition journal (2014)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Ginger significantly improved the symptoms of nausea when compared to placebo (MD 1.20, 95% CI 0.56-1.84, p = 0.0002, I² = 0%).
Ginger did not significantly reduce the number of vomiting episodes during NVP, when compared to placebo, although there was a trend towards improvement (MD 0.72, 95% CI -0.03-1.46, p = 0.06, I² = 71%).
Ginger did not pose a significant risk for spontaneous abortion compared to placebo (RR 3.14, 95% CI 0.65-15.11, p = 0.15; I² = 0%), or to vitamin B₆ (RR 0.49, 95% CI 0.17-1.42, p = 0.19, I² = 40%).