Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B6
For the health condition: PMS Type H
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is commonly used to support or treat symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), including PMS Type H (which is characterized by "hyperhydration" symptoms such as bloating, breast tenderness, and swelling). The scientific rationale is based on vitamin B6's role in neurotransmitter synthesis, particularly serotonin and dopamine, which can influence mood and fluid regulation. Several clinical trials and systematic reviews have evaluated the efficacy of vitamin B6 in relieving PMS symptoms. A 1999 meta-analysis published in the British Medical Journal found that vitamin B6 was more effective than placebo in reducing overall PMS symptoms, though the quality of evidence was moderate and effect sizes were modest. More recent studies have also reported beneficial effects, particularly for mood-related symptoms, but the evidence for relief of physical symptoms such as those associated with Type H PMS is less robust.
Despite some methodological limitations in the available studies (e.g., small sample sizes, varying dosages, and differing symptom classifications), the overall evidence suggests that vitamin B6 may provide mild-to-moderate relief for PMS symptoms, including those of hyperhydration. Doses between 50-100 mg/day are most commonly used in studies, as higher doses carry a risk of neuropathy with prolonged use. In summary, there is moderate scientific support for the use of vitamin B6 in PMS, with some validation for its use in PMS Type H, though further large-scale, high-quality trials are warranted to confirm its efficacy and optimal dosing for this specific subtype.
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