Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B6
For the health condition: PMS Type S
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is commonly used to support or treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS), particularly PMS Type S, which is characterized by symptoms related to serotonin imbalance, such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression. The scientific rationale is based on vitamin B6’s role as a cofactor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, especially serotonin and dopamine, which are implicated in mood regulation. Several clinical trials have examined the efficacy of vitamin B6 for PMS, with mixed results. A 1999 meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that vitamin B6 may be more effective than placebo in relieving overall PMS symptoms, particularly emotional symptoms, but the effect size was modest and the quality of studies varied.
Recent reviews, including a 2017 Cochrane review, conclude that there is some evidence for a small-to-moderate benefit, particularly for mood-related symptoms, but the overall quality of evidence is low, and larger, more rigorous studies are necessary. Doses of vitamin B6 used in studies range from 50-100 mg per day, with higher doses carrying a risk of neuropathy. In summary, while some scientific support exists for vitamin B6 in treating PMS Type S symptoms, especially mood swings and irritability, the evidence is not robust, and its use should be approached cautiously and in consultation with a healthcare provider.
Other ingredients used for PMS Type S
black cohoshcalcium
chaste tree
turmeric
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
omega-3 fatty acids
vitamin B6
vitamin D
wild yam
zinc
Agnuside
Cohosh
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
