Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsNutritionDeficiencySide EffectsWho Should Avoid It?

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Benefits

Nutrition

Deficiency

Side Effects

Who Should Avoid It?

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a water-soluble compound involved in over 100 enzyme reactions in the body.It is crucial for brain development and immune system function.

The role of vitamin B6 has been studied extensively for cancer, dementia, and heart health. However, a lot of the evidence is mixed. It’s also been researched for people with depression, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, and more.

It is found in fruits, vegetables, beans, and fish and can also be a dietary supplement.

1. May Increase Cognitive Function

Supplementation with B-complex vitamins decreases homocysteine levels in people withAlzheimer’s diseaseordementia. But interestingly, a corresponding improvement in mental function hasn’t been shown.And vitamin B supplementation was shown to have little or no effect on healthy older adults in terms of protecting against cognitive decline.A review of 21 studies showed that high levels of B6 alone didn’t impact the dementia risk of older adults, either.

Supplement FactsActive ingredient:PyridoxineAlternate name: Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamineLegal status:Over-the-counter supplement (United States).Suggested dose:Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 1.3 to 2 milligrams (mg) daily for adultsSafety considerations: Not recommended during breastfeeding;may interact with some seizure and Parkinson’s medications

Supplement Facts

Active ingredient:PyridoxineAlternate name: Pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamineLegal status:Over-the-counter supplement (United States).Suggested dose:Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of 1.3 to 2 milligrams (mg) daily for adultsSafety considerations: Not recommended during breastfeeding;may interact with some seizure and Parkinson’s medications

2. May Protect Against Cancer

A review of 130 studies suggests that vitamin B6 may protect againstcancer.High dietary B6 levels were mainly associated with lower risks of digestive tract cancers like:

However, a high total intake of vitamin B6 (from foods plus supplements) had much less of an effect on cancer risk. This could be because diets high in vitamin B6 are also loaded with other protective nutrients that decrease the odds of cancer. More evidence is needed to link vitamin B6 and cancer prevention.

As a general rule, vitamin and mineral supplements are not recommended for cancer prevention as they may even increase the risk of cancer in some circumstances.

3. May Improve Heart Health

The role of vitamin B6 in heart health is also controversial. Higher vitamin B6 intake has been associated with a lower risk ofheart disease.

But taking vitamin B supplements has been determined to have little to no effect on survival or risk of heart disease or stroke.

4. May Decrease Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Vitamin B6 is known to have anti-nausea properties.It’s often used for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, but there’s limited data to support its benefits.

A study of 77 females found that vitamin B6 was better at decreasingnausea and vomitingduring the first trimester than a placebo (sugar pill).

A review of trials concluded that vitamin B6 was more effective thangingerfor nausea and vomiting in pregnancy when it was taken for 60 days or longer.

Experts recommend between 1.3 and 2 mg of dietary vitamin B6 per day for adults and less for children.As with most vitamins and minerals, these amounts vary depending on age, sex, and pregnancy or lactation (breastfeeding) status. Most people in the United States get the recommended daily amounts of vitamin B6 through their diets. It’s commonly found in foods like the following:

Signs of Vitamin B6 Deficiency

Some people may develop a B6 deficiency when:

Vitamin B6 deficiency is uncommon in the United States.It’s usually found in tandem with low levels of otherB-complex vitamins, such asniacinorfolate.

People with the following conditions are at higher risk for B6 deficiency:

What Is Hyperhomocysteinemia?

What Are Side Effects of Vitamin B6?

Side effects are not common when vitamin B6 is consumed in foods, even in large amounts.But taking high doses of vitamin B6 supplements over a long period can cause severe side effects likeneuropathy(nerve pain) andataxia(loss of coordination).

Dietary sources (from your food) of vitamin B6 are safe for the typical child or adult. High levels (more than 50 mg per day) of supplemental B6 are likely safe during pregnancy.

Consult with your healthcare provider for a recommended dose. It may be best to steer clear of vitamin B6 supplements if breastfeeding, as it may decrease or stop milk production.Because B6 is water-soluble vitamin, higher than needed amounts of vitamin B6 are typically eliminated in the urine.

Toxicity

Interactions

Some prescription medications may lower the levels of vitamin B6 in the body. These include the following:

Summary

Vitamin B6 is vital for energy, brain development, and a healthy immune system. Vitamin B6 may help with first-trimester morning sickness. Dietary sources of B6 (from food) might protect against cancer to some extent. However, remember that vitamin supplements are typically not recommended for cancer prevention. If you decide to try it, discuss it with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s a good fit for you. established.

17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mocellin S, Briarava M, Pilati P.Vitamin B6 and cancer risk: a field synopsis and meta-analysis.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2017;109(3):1-9. doi:10.1093/jnci/djw230National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.Zhang DM, Ye JX, Mu JS, Cui XP.Efficacy of Vitamin B Supplementation on Cognition in Elderly Patients With Cognitive-Related Diseases.J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2017;30(1):50-59. doi:10.1177/0891988716673466Rutjes AW, Denton DA, Di Nisio M, et al.Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;12(12):CD011906. Published 2018 Dec 17. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011906.pub2Zhang C, Luo J, Yuan C, Ding D.Vitamin B12, B6, or Folate and Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;77(2):781-794. doi:10.3233/JAD-200534AlSaad D, Awaisu A, Elsalem S, et al.Is pyridoxine effective and safe for post-partum lactation inhibition? A systematic review.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017;42(4):373-382. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12526Key TJ, Bradbury KE, Perez-Cornago A, et al.Diet, nutrition, and cancer risk: what do we know and what is the way forward?BMJ. 2020;368:m511. doi:10.1136/bmj.m511Jayedi A, Zargar MS.Intake of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 and risk of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2697-2707. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1511967Khan SU, Khan MU, Riaz H, et al.Effects of Nutritional Supplements and Dietary Interventions on Cardiovascular Outcomes: An Umbrella Review and Evidence Map[published correction appears in Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jan 7;172(1):75-76].Ann Intern Med. 2019;171(3):190-198. doi:10.7326/M19-0341Matok I, Clark S, Caritis S, et al.Studying the antiemetic effect of vitamin B6 for morning sickness: pyridoxine and pyridoxal are prodrugs.J Clin Pharmacol. 2014;54(12):1429-1433. doi:10.1002/jcph.369Sharifzadeh F, Kashanian M, Koohpayehzadeh J, et al.A comparison between the effects of ginger, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and placebo for the treatment of the first trimester nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP).J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(19):2509-2514. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1344965Khorasani F, Aryan H, Sobhi A, et al.A systematic review of the efficacy of alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;40(1):10-19. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1587392Berger MM, Shenkin A, Schweinlin A, et al.ESPEN micronutrient guideline.Clin Nutr. 2022;41(6):1357-1424. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2022.02.015Calderon-Ospina CA, Nava-Mesa MO, Paez-Hurtado AM.Update on safety profiles of vitamins B1, B6, and B12: A narrative review.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2020;16:1275-1288. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S274122Shrim A, Boskovic R, Maltepe C, Navios Y, Garcia-Bournissen F, Koren G.Pregnancy outcome following use of large doses of vitamin B6 in the first trimester.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2006;26(8):749-751. doi:10.1080/01443610600955826Salam RA, Zuberi NF, Bhutta ZA.Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation during pregnancy or labour for maternal and neonatal outcomes.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(6):CD000179. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000179.pub3Agnieszka W, Paweł P, Małgorzata K.How to optimize the effectiveness and safety of Parkinson’s disease therapy? – A systematic review of drugs interactions with food and dietary supplements.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2022;20(7):1427-1447. doi:10.2174/1570159X19666211116142806

17 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mocellin S, Briarava M, Pilati P.Vitamin B6 and cancer risk: a field synopsis and meta-analysis.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2017;109(3):1-9. doi:10.1093/jnci/djw230National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.Zhang DM, Ye JX, Mu JS, Cui XP.Efficacy of Vitamin B Supplementation on Cognition in Elderly Patients With Cognitive-Related Diseases.J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2017;30(1):50-59. doi:10.1177/0891988716673466Rutjes AW, Denton DA, Di Nisio M, et al.Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;12(12):CD011906. Published 2018 Dec 17. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011906.pub2Zhang C, Luo J, Yuan C, Ding D.Vitamin B12, B6, or Folate and Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;77(2):781-794. doi:10.3233/JAD-200534AlSaad D, Awaisu A, Elsalem S, et al.Is pyridoxine effective and safe for post-partum lactation inhibition? A systematic review.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017;42(4):373-382. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12526Key TJ, Bradbury KE, Perez-Cornago A, et al.Diet, nutrition, and cancer risk: what do we know and what is the way forward?BMJ. 2020;368:m511. doi:10.1136/bmj.m511Jayedi A, Zargar MS.Intake of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 and risk of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2697-2707. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1511967Khan SU, Khan MU, Riaz H, et al.Effects of Nutritional Supplements and Dietary Interventions on Cardiovascular Outcomes: An Umbrella Review and Evidence Map[published correction appears in Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jan 7;172(1):75-76].Ann Intern Med. 2019;171(3):190-198. doi:10.7326/M19-0341Matok I, Clark S, Caritis S, et al.Studying the antiemetic effect of vitamin B6 for morning sickness: pyridoxine and pyridoxal are prodrugs.J Clin Pharmacol. 2014;54(12):1429-1433. doi:10.1002/jcph.369Sharifzadeh F, Kashanian M, Koohpayehzadeh J, et al.A comparison between the effects of ginger, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and placebo for the treatment of the first trimester nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP).J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(19):2509-2514. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1344965Khorasani F, Aryan H, Sobhi A, et al.A systematic review of the efficacy of alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;40(1):10-19. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1587392Berger MM, Shenkin A, Schweinlin A, et al.ESPEN micronutrient guideline.Clin Nutr. 2022;41(6):1357-1424. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2022.02.015Calderon-Ospina CA, Nava-Mesa MO, Paez-Hurtado AM.Update on safety profiles of vitamins B1, B6, and B12: A narrative review.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2020;16:1275-1288. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S274122Shrim A, Boskovic R, Maltepe C, Navios Y, Garcia-Bournissen F, Koren G.Pregnancy outcome following use of large doses of vitamin B6 in the first trimester.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2006;26(8):749-751. doi:10.1080/01443610600955826Salam RA, Zuberi NF, Bhutta ZA.Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation during pregnancy or labour for maternal and neonatal outcomes.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(6):CD000179. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000179.pub3Agnieszka W, Paweł P, Małgorzata K.How to optimize the effectiveness and safety of Parkinson’s disease therapy? – A systematic review of drugs interactions with food and dietary supplements.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2022;20(7):1427-1447. doi:10.2174/1570159X19666211116142806

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Mocellin S, Briarava M, Pilati P.Vitamin B6 and cancer risk: a field synopsis and meta-analysis.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2017;109(3):1-9. doi:10.1093/jnci/djw230National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.Zhang DM, Ye JX, Mu JS, Cui XP.Efficacy of Vitamin B Supplementation on Cognition in Elderly Patients With Cognitive-Related Diseases.J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2017;30(1):50-59. doi:10.1177/0891988716673466Rutjes AW, Denton DA, Di Nisio M, et al.Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;12(12):CD011906. Published 2018 Dec 17. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011906.pub2Zhang C, Luo J, Yuan C, Ding D.Vitamin B12, B6, or Folate and Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;77(2):781-794. doi:10.3233/JAD-200534AlSaad D, Awaisu A, Elsalem S, et al.Is pyridoxine effective and safe for post-partum lactation inhibition? A systematic review.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017;42(4):373-382. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12526Key TJ, Bradbury KE, Perez-Cornago A, et al.Diet, nutrition, and cancer risk: what do we know and what is the way forward?BMJ. 2020;368:m511. doi:10.1136/bmj.m511Jayedi A, Zargar MS.Intake of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 and risk of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2697-2707. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1511967Khan SU, Khan MU, Riaz H, et al.Effects of Nutritional Supplements and Dietary Interventions on Cardiovascular Outcomes: An Umbrella Review and Evidence Map[published correction appears in Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jan 7;172(1):75-76].Ann Intern Med. 2019;171(3):190-198. doi:10.7326/M19-0341Matok I, Clark S, Caritis S, et al.Studying the antiemetic effect of vitamin B6 for morning sickness: pyridoxine and pyridoxal are prodrugs.J Clin Pharmacol. 2014;54(12):1429-1433. doi:10.1002/jcph.369Sharifzadeh F, Kashanian M, Koohpayehzadeh J, et al.A comparison between the effects of ginger, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and placebo for the treatment of the first trimester nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP).J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(19):2509-2514. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1344965Khorasani F, Aryan H, Sobhi A, et al.A systematic review of the efficacy of alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;40(1):10-19. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1587392Berger MM, Shenkin A, Schweinlin A, et al.ESPEN micronutrient guideline.Clin Nutr. 2022;41(6):1357-1424. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2022.02.015Calderon-Ospina CA, Nava-Mesa MO, Paez-Hurtado AM.Update on safety profiles of vitamins B1, B6, and B12: A narrative review.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2020;16:1275-1288. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S274122Shrim A, Boskovic R, Maltepe C, Navios Y, Garcia-Bournissen F, Koren G.Pregnancy outcome following use of large doses of vitamin B6 in the first trimester.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2006;26(8):749-751. doi:10.1080/01443610600955826Salam RA, Zuberi NF, Bhutta ZA.Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation during pregnancy or labour for maternal and neonatal outcomes.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(6):CD000179. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000179.pub3Agnieszka W, Paweł P, Małgorzata K.How to optimize the effectiveness and safety of Parkinson’s disease therapy? – A systematic review of drugs interactions with food and dietary supplements.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2022;20(7):1427-1447. doi:10.2174/1570159X19666211116142806

Mocellin S, Briarava M, Pilati P.Vitamin B6 and cancer risk: a field synopsis and meta-analysis.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2017;109(3):1-9. doi:10.1093/jnci/djw230

National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B6.

Zhang DM, Ye JX, Mu JS, Cui XP.Efficacy of Vitamin B Supplementation on Cognition in Elderly Patients With Cognitive-Related Diseases.J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2017;30(1):50-59. doi:10.1177/0891988716673466

Rutjes AW, Denton DA, Di Nisio M, et al.Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;12(12):CD011906. Published 2018 Dec 17. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011906.pub2

Zhang C, Luo J, Yuan C, Ding D.Vitamin B12, B6, or Folate and Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.J Alzheimers Dis. 2020;77(2):781-794. doi:10.3233/JAD-200534

AlSaad D, Awaisu A, Elsalem S, et al.Is pyridoxine effective and safe for post-partum lactation inhibition? A systematic review.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2017;42(4):373-382. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12526

Key TJ, Bradbury KE, Perez-Cornago A, et al.Diet, nutrition, and cancer risk: what do we know and what is the way forward?BMJ. 2020;368:m511. doi:10.1136/bmj.m511

Jayedi A, Zargar MS.Intake of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 and risk of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(16):2697-2707. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1511967

Khan SU, Khan MU, Riaz H, et al.Effects of Nutritional Supplements and Dietary Interventions on Cardiovascular Outcomes: An Umbrella Review and Evidence Map[published correction appears in Ann Intern Med. 2020 Jan 7;172(1):75-76].Ann Intern Med. 2019;171(3):190-198. doi:10.7326/M19-0341

Matok I, Clark S, Caritis S, et al.Studying the antiemetic effect of vitamin B6 for morning sickness: pyridoxine and pyridoxal are prodrugs.J Clin Pharmacol. 2014;54(12):1429-1433. doi:10.1002/jcph.369

Sharifzadeh F, Kashanian M, Koohpayehzadeh J, et al.A comparison between the effects of ginger, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and placebo for the treatment of the first trimester nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP).J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;31(19):2509-2514. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1344965

Khorasani F, Aryan H, Sobhi A, et al.A systematic review of the efficacy of alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020;40(1):10-19. doi:10.1080/01443615.2019.1587392

Berger MM, Shenkin A, Schweinlin A, et al.ESPEN micronutrient guideline.Clin Nutr. 2022;41(6):1357-1424. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2022.02.015

Calderon-Ospina CA, Nava-Mesa MO, Paez-Hurtado AM.Update on safety profiles of vitamins B1, B6, and B12: A narrative review.Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2020;16:1275-1288. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S274122

Shrim A, Boskovic R, Maltepe C, Navios Y, Garcia-Bournissen F, Koren G.Pregnancy outcome following use of large doses of vitamin B6 in the first trimester.J Obstet Gynaecol. 2006;26(8):749-751. doi:10.1080/01443610600955826

Salam RA, Zuberi NF, Bhutta ZA.Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation during pregnancy or labour for maternal and neonatal outcomes.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(6):CD000179. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000179.pub3

Agnieszka W, Paweł P, Małgorzata K.How to optimize the effectiveness and safety of Parkinson’s disease therapy? – A systematic review of drugs interactions with food and dietary supplements.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2022;20(7):1427-1447. doi:10.2174/1570159X19666211116142806

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