Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B6
For the health condition: PMS (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is commonly used to support or treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). There is some scientific evidence supporting its use, though the quality and consistency of the data are moderate, not strong. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have investigated vitamin B6 supplementation (typically in doses of 50-100 mg/day) for PMS symptoms such as mood changes, irritability, and breast tenderness. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Wyatt et al., 1999) found that vitamin B6 was more effective than placebo in relieving overall PMS symptoms, particularly emotional symptoms, though the effect size was modest and some studies included in the review had methodological limitations.
The rationale for using vitamin B6 stems from its role in neurotransmitter synthesis, including serotonin and dopamine, which are implicated in mood regulation. Some women with PMS may have altered neurotransmitter metabolism, and B6 could potentially help correct this imbalance. However, more recent reviews (e.g., Cochrane Database, 2019) conclude that while there is some benefit, the evidence is not robust, and further high-quality trials are needed to confirm efficacy and safety. Vitamin B6 is generally safe at recommended doses, but chronic high intake can cause neuropathy.
In summary, the use of vitamin B6 for PMS is supported by moderate scientific evidence, particularly for mood-related symptoms, but it is not considered a definitive or first-line treatment.
Other ingredients used for PMS (general)
ashwagandhabeet
black cohosh
borage oil
bupleurum falcatum
calcium
chamomile
chaste tree
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
fennel
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
green tea
inositol
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
motherwort
pollen
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
sage
soybean
valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
watermelon
wild yam
zinc
tangerine
bee pollen
lingusticum wallichii
royal jelly
Equol (proprietary)
peach
27-deoxyactein
Alchemilla
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Acetylsalicylic acid
Agnuside
Ashoka
Borage
banana
Cohosh
Calendula
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cyathula
Chocolate
Dong Quai
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Evening Primrose Oil
Estrogen
Lotus
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by vitamin B6
AlcoholismAmenorrhea
Anemia
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Anger (excessive)
Arthritis
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism
Bell's Palsy
Burning Feet or Hands
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Emotional Sensitivity
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hangover
Hashimoto's Disease
Hiccups
Hot Flashes
Infertility
Inflammation
Insomnia
Irritability
Kidney Stones
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menorrhagia
Menstrual Irregularity
Menstruation (scant)
Mental Illness
Migraine
Mood Swings
Morning Sickness
Nausea and Vomiting
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Nightmares
Numbness
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
PMS (general)
PMS Type A
PMS Type C
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Seborrhea
Seizures
Sleep (restless and disturbed)
Sore or Geographic Tongue
Stress
Thinking (cloudy)
Tics
TMJ
Tuberculosis
Twitching
Worry
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Fem EstroPlex®
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Fem Prenatal®
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Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
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Multigenics Chewable Orange
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Multigenics Intensive Care without Iron
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Multigenics without Iron
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Multiplex-1 No-Iron
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Neurolink™
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NeuroPure
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NeuroRenew™
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Nutrient 950®
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Nutrient 950®
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Nutrient 950® A without Copper & Iron
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Nutrient 950® with NAC
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® with Vitamin K
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Copper, Iron & Iodine
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Iron
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® without Iron
Integrative Therapeutics
Nutrivitamin No-Iron
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
O.N.E.™ Multivitamin
Designs For Health
OcuForce™
Integrative Therapeutics
Osteoprime Forte
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Osteoprime Ultra
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P-5-P
Pure Encapsulations
P-5-P 50
Pure Encapsulations
P-5-P 50
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PaleoCleanse Plus™
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PaleoCleanse Plus™
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PaleoCleanse Plus™ Detox Program
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PaleoCleanse Plus™Chocolate Detox Kit
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PaleoMeal®
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PaleoMeal®
Integrative Therapeutics
Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
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Physician's Elemental Diet
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Physician's Elemental Diet
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Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics
PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
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PhytoMulti With Iron
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PhytoMulti Without Iron
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PhytoMultivitamin
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Plant Protein Cleanse
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Plant Protein Cleanse Plus™ 570g
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Plant Protein Meal
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Plant Protein Meal Plus
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Plant Protein Meal
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PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
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Polyphenol Nutrients
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Polyphenol Nutrients
Douglas Laboratories
Prenatal
Pure Encapsulations
PreNatal Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
PreNatal Nutrients
Designs For Health
Prenatal Pro™
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Primal Multi™
Vitabase
Prostate Complex (Formerly Prostate Complete)
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Prostate Supreme™
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Prostate Supreme™
Integrative Therapeutics
ProThrivers Multivitamin
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PureGenomics® B-Complex
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PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
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PureLean® Protein
Pure Encapsulations
PurePals
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PurePals with Iron
Pure Encapsulations
PureResponse™ Multivitamin
Thorne
Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate B6
Pure Encapsulations
Rapid Calm
Vitabase
Relaxation Support
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Relora ®-Plex
Metagenics
Renagen™ DTX
Pure Encapsulations
RevitalAge™ Nerve
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S-Acetyl Glutathione Synergy
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SAMe
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SAMe
Pure Encapsulations
SeroPlus
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SeroSyn
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Stress B-Complex
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Stress-B-Plus ™
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Stress Balance Phytisone
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StressArrest™
Vitabase
Super Antioxidant Formula
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Super Fat Burner
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Super Stress Formula
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Testralin®
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Trancor®
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Twice Daily Essential Packets
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Twice Daily Multi™
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Twice Daily Multi™
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Twice Daily Multi™
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Ultra B-Complex
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Ultra B-Complex with PQQ
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Ultra Benfotiamine
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Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
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Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
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Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
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Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
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Ultra Preventive
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Ultra Preventive
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Ultra Preventive ® 2 Daily
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive 50+ -EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
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ULTRA PREVENTIVE® III W/COPPER
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Ultra Preventive One Daily
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
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Ultra Prostagen Concentrated
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Ultra Protein Green
Pure Encapsulations
Ultra Pure Pack
Metagenics
UltraClear Detox Powder
Metagenics
UltraClear Plus® Detox Powder
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UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Berry
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UltraClear Plus Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
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UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Pineapple/Banana
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UltraClear Plus pH Detox Powder Vanilla
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UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
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UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
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UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
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UltraDetox 10-Day Pure Pack
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UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
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UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
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UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
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UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
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UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
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UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics
UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla
Metagenics
UltraMeal® Daily Support Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics
UltraMeal Daily Support Mixed Berry
Metagenics
UltraMeal Rice Vanilla
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Pure Encapsulations
UltraNutrient®
Douglas Laboratories
Uro-Pro ®
Designs For Health
UT Synergy™
Pure Encapsulations
VisionPro Nutrients
Designs For Health
Vitamin B-6 Liquid
Designs For Health
Weight Loss Support Packets
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Thorne
Women's Multi 50+
Pure Encapsulations
Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
Women's Nutrients
Designs For Health
Women's Twice Daily Essential Packets
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Zinc Supreme™