Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxamine)
For the health condition: Alcoholism

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, not pyridoxamine—though related) is used to support individuals with alcoholism primarily due to the scientific understanding of how chronic alcohol consumption induces vitamin B6 deficiency. Ethanol interferes with the absorption, metabolism, and utilization of B6, often leading to clinically significant deficiencies in individuals with alcohol use disorder. Deficiency of vitamin B6 can cause neurological symptoms, anemia, and impaired immune function, all of which are already risk factors in people with chronic alcoholism.

Clinical guidelines and reviews, including those by the World Health Organization and various addiction medicine societies, recommend the supplementation of vitamin B6 as part of a broader B vitamin (often B-complex) regimen for individuals recovering from alcoholism. This is to correct or prevent deficiency, reduce the risk of complications such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (primarily associated with thiamine deficiency, but B6 is also important), and support neurological health.

There is, however, limited direct evidence that B6 supplementation treats alcoholism itself (i.e., reduces cravings or relapse rate). Instead, the evidence supports its use to address deficiency and associated complications. Thus, its use is justified by scientific understanding of nutritional deficiencies in alcoholism, not as a direct treatment for the addictive disorder itself.

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