Vitamin B6 has often been called "the woman's vitamin" because it is so helpful for premenstrual syndrome, and may help the depression associated with the use of oral contraceptives. Vitamin B6 may help prevent certain complications of pregnancy including nausea and vomiting, gestational diabetes, intrauterine growth retardation, and toxemia.
Research has shown that vitamin B6 (usually in doses of 50 to 200 mg/day) can prevent or relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and may be helpful for asthma. Vitamin B6 supplementation, in conjunction with folic acid and vitamin B12, can lower homocysteine levels, thus reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. By inhibiting the production of oxalate, vitamin B6 may prevent calcium oxalate kidney stone recurrence.
Persons at risk for vitamin B6 deficiency: anyone with a malabsorption problem (such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease); diabetics; elderly; women who are pregnant, nursing or taking oral contraceptives.
