Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B6
For the health condition: Autism
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) has been studied as a potential treatment to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) since the 1960s. Early reports and small studies suggested that some autistic children might benefit from high-dose vitamin B6, often in combination with magnesium. Researchers hypothesized that B6 might address neurotransmitter imbalances, as it is a cofactor in the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). However, most studies have been small, open-label, or lacked rigorous controls. A few double-blind placebo-controlled trials have shown modest improvements in a subset of children, but the majority of research has failed to demonstrate consistent, clinically significant benefits.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, such as those published by the Cochrane Collaboration and in peer-reviewed journals, generally conclude that the evidence for vitamin B6 (with or without magnesium) is weak and inconsistent. Most professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, do not recommend vitamin B6 supplementation as a standard treatment for autism due to insufficient evidence and the possibility of side effects at high doses (such as neuropathy). While some practitioners and parents pursue B6 supplementation, its use is supported more by anecdotal reports than robust clinical evidence. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale for investigating vitamin B6 in ASD, the scientific evidence for its efficacy is limited and does not justify routine use.
Other ingredients used for Autism
acetyl l-carnitinebifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium longum
choline
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
folate
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
magnesium
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
omega-3 fatty acids
phytocannabinoids
sulforaphane glucosinolate
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
zinc
Biopterin
Bacteria
Cannabidiol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
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
Products containing vitamin B6
Nature's Sunshine 5-HTP Power
Nature's Sunshine Adrenal Support
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Clean Energy
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Plant Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Plant Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Whey Protein
Nature's Sunshine AIVIA Whey Protein
Nature's Sunshine Balanced B Complex (Vitamin B)
Nature's Sunshine Cardio Assurance
Nature's Sunshine Children's MultiVitamin & Mineral
Nature's Sunshine Glandular System
Nature's Sunshine Heavy Metal Detox
Nature's Sunshine Liquid - Methyl Vitamin B-12 Complete
Nature's Sunshine Love and Peas
Nature's Sunshine Mega-Chel
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (SynerPro)
Nature's Sunshine MultiVitamin & Mineral (Time Release)
Nature's Sunshine Natural Changes
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Prenatal
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Harvest
Nature's Sunshine Nervous System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Nutri-Calm
Nature's Sunshine Nutri-Calm
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets Pouch
Nature's Sunshine Power Beets To-Go Packs
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens
Nature's Sunshine Power Greens To-Go
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Power Meal
Nature's Sunshine Silver Shield BioGuard Hand & Body Cream
Nature's Sunshine Skeletal Strength
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Twenty-Four
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Energy
Nature's Sunshine Solstic Revive
Nature's Sunshine Structural System (30 Day Program)
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental
Nature's Sunshine Super Supplemental (Without Iron)
Nature's Sunshine Super Trio
Nature's Sunshine Thyroid Support
Nature's Sunshine B-Complex
Nature's Sunshine Vitamin B6
Nature's Sunshine VitaWave