Does Vitamin B6 Really Work?
Vitamin B
6 (
pyridoxine) really does work for some uses. However, it is claimed to work for a wide variety of conditions, sometimes with little or no scientific evidence to back up such claims. This article will address the effectiveness of vitamin B
6 for several uses.
Does Vitamin B6 Work for a Vitamin B6 Deficiency?
As you might guess, taking vitamin B6 is effective for treating vitamin B6 deficiencies and related problems. It is also effective for preventing vitamin B6 deficiency in people at high risk for such problems.
Does Vitamin B6 Work for Other Uses?
Vitamin B
6 is effective for treating hereditary sideroblastic anemia and pyridoxine dependency
seizures, two rare genetic disorders. It is probably effective for treating high levels of homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinemia) after meals, although it does not seem to lower fasting homocysteine levels. There is some evidence that vitamin B
6 works for treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and for treating morning sickness
(see Vitamin B6 and Pregnancy).
Early evidence suggests that it may also help prevent
kidney stones, but only in people with type I primary hyperoxaluria (a genetic condition). Very early evidence seems to suggest that vitamin B
6 may also help prevent
lung cancer, particularly among smokers. Vitamin B
6 might also be helpful for alleviating
tardive dyskinesia symptoms (certain side effects of
antipsychotics and other similar medications).
There is little evidence to suggest that vitamin B6 really works for most other uses. In fact, studies suggest that it probably does not work for the following uses:
