Vitamin B6
Vitamin ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Involved in over 100 enzyme reactions, primarily in amino acid metabolism. Critical for neurotransmitter synthesis, hemoglobin production, and immune function.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin most often used for neurotransmitter production, mood support, immune function. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong. A typical adult dose is 25–100 mg daily, commonly taken as pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (p-5-p, active form). This profile indexes 19 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: neurotransmitter production, mood support, immune function. 19 sources indexed (1999–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
As pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), serves as coenzyme for aminotransferases, decarboxylases, and other enzymes. Essential for synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine, and hemoglobin.16,1
Dosing & protocol.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes P-5-P / Pyridoxine.
Assumes 25-100 mg/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, Pure Encapsulations, and Amazon marketplace; P-5-P is the premium tier. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Food can usually cover normal B6 needs if protein and plant foods are varied.
Therapeutic-style B6 doses are supplement territory, not food territory.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nerve damage risk above 100 mg/day chronic use (US UL)
- Numbness
Contraindications
- Levodopa (without carbidopa)
- Chronic high doses >200mg
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
11- 1Effectiveness of Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate in PNPO Deficiency: A Systematic ReviewPMIDStolwijk NN, van Dussen L, Reijnhout ND et al. · Journal of inherited metabolic disease · 2025
Stolwijk NN, van Dussen L, Reijnhout ND et al.. Effectiveness of Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate in PNPO Deficiency: A Systematic Review. Journal of inherited metabolic disease. 2025
- 2Genotype and phenotype features and prognostic factors of neonatal-onset pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy: A systematic reviewPMIDFang C, Yang L, Xiao F et al. · Epilepsy research · 2024
Fang C, Yang L, Xiao F et al.. Genotype and phenotype features and prognostic factors of neonatal-onset pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy: A systematic review. Epilepsy research. 2024
- 3Current evidence for adjunct pyridoxine (vitamin B6) for the treatment of behavioral adverse effects associated with levetiracetam: A systematic reviewPMIDBesag FMC, Vasey MJ, Sen A · Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · 2023
Besag FMC, Vasey MJ, Sen A. Current evidence for adjunct pyridoxine (vitamin B6) for the treatment of behavioral adverse effects associated with levetiracetam: A systematic review. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B. 2023
- 4The effects of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysisPMIDJayawardena R, Majeed S, Sooriyaarachchi P et al. · Archives of gynecology and obstetrics · 2023
Jayawardena R, Majeed S, Sooriyaarachchi P et al.. The effects of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) supplementation in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of gynecology and obstetrics. 2023
- 5Epilepsy Phenotypes of Vitamin B6-Dependent Diseases: An Updated Systematic ReviewPMIDMastrangelo M, Gasparri V, Bernardi K et al. · Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023
Mastrangelo M, Gasparri V, Bernardi K et al.. Epilepsy Phenotypes of Vitamin B6-Dependent Diseases: An Updated Systematic Review. Children (Basel, Switzerland). 2023
- 6Association Between Vitamin B6 and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Observational StudiesPMIDLai J, Guo M, Wang D et al. · Nutrition and cancer · 2023
Lai J, Guo M, Wang D et al.. Association Between Vitamin B6 and the Risk of Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrition and cancer. 2023
- 7Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysisPMIDHu Y, Amoah AN, Zhang H et al. · The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians · 2022
Hu Y, Amoah AN, Zhang H et al.. Effect of ginger in the treatment of nausea and vomiting compared with vitamin B6 and placebo during pregnancy: a meta-analysis. The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians. 2022
- 8Pyridoxine supplementation for levetiracetam-related neuropsychiatric adverse events: A systematic reviewPMIDRomoli M, Perucca E, Sen A · Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · 2020
Romoli M, Perucca E, Sen A. Pyridoxine supplementation for levetiracetam-related neuropsychiatric adverse events: A systematic review. Epilepsy & behavior : E&B. 2020
- 9Pyridoxine, folate and cobalamin for migraine: A systematic reviewPMIDLiampas IN, Siokas V, Aloizou AM et al. · Acta neurologica Scandinavica · 2020
Liampas IN, Siokas V, Aloizou AM et al.. Pyridoxine, folate and cobalamin for migraine: A systematic review. Acta neurologica Scandinavica. 2020
- 10Vitamin B6 Intake and Pancreatic Carcinoma Risk: A Meta-AnalysisPMIDPeng YF, Han MM, Huang R et al. · Nutrition and cancer · 2019
Peng YF, Han MM, Huang R et al.. Vitamin B6 Intake and Pancreatic Carcinoma Risk: A Meta-Analysis. Nutrition and cancer. 2019
- 11Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic reviewPMIDWyatt KM et al. · BMJ · 1999
OR 2.32 for overall PMS symptom improvement vs placebo (9 trials, 940 patients); OR 1.69 for depressive symptoms improvement
Randomized controlled trials
2- 12High-dose Vitamin B6 supplementation reduces anxiety and strengthens visual surround suppressionSource linkedPMIDField DT, Cracknell RO, Eastwood JR et al. · Hum Psychopharmacol · 2022
- 13Vitamin B6 Supplementation Reduces Symptoms of Depression in College Women Taking Oral Contraceptives: A Randomized, Double-Blind Crossover TrialSource linkedPMIDHisano M, Bruschini H, Nicodemo AC et al. · J Am Coll Nutr · 2022
Reviews & position papers
6- 14Expert Consensus on Vitamin B6 Therapeutic Use for Patients: Guidance on Safe Dosage, Duration and Clinical ManagementPMIDVarious · Nutrients · 2025
Expert consensus providing guidance on safe dosage limits, treatment duration, and clinical management of vitamin B6 to prevent neuropathy
- 15The Role of Vitamin B6 in Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic ReviewPMIDvan der Watt G et al. · Nutrients · 2023
Higher vitamin B6 levels from supplements may lead to predominantly sensory axonal neuropathy; US UL is 100 mg/day, EFSA UL is 12 mg/day
- 16B Vitamins in the nervous system: Current knowledge of the biochemical modes of action and synergies of thiamine, pyridoxine, and cobalaminPMIDCalderon-Ospina CA, Nava-Mesa MO · CNS Neurosci Ther · 2020
Pyridoxine (PLP) is essential for synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, norepinephrine, and hemoglobin; serves as coenzyme for aminotransferases and decarboxylases
- 17Vitamin B-6-Induced Neuropathy: Exploring the Mechanisms of Pyridoxine ToxicityPMIDVrolijk MF et al. · Adv Nutr · 2017
Excessive pyridoxine induces neuropathy through preferential injury of sensory neurons; toxicity reported at 1000 mg/day, occasional reports at 100-300 mg/day
- 18B vitamins and the brain: mechanisms, dose and efficacy, a reviewSource linkedPMIDKennedy DO · Nutrients · 2016
- 19Vitamin B6 and its role in cell metabolism and physiologySource linkedDOIMooney S, Leuendorf JE, Hendrickson C, Hellmann H · Cells · 2009
Common questions.
Quick answers about Vitamin B6, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Vitamin B6?
Involved in over 100 enzyme reactions, primarily in amino acid metabolism. Critical for neurotransmitter synthesis, hemoglobin production, and immune function.
What is Vitamin B6 used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Vitamin B6 include: Neurotransmitter production; Mood support; Immune function; Hemoglobin synthesis; PMS relief. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Vitamin B6?
A typical adult dose of Vitamin B6 is 25–100 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (P-5-P, active form). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Vitamin B6?
Reported side effects include nerve damage risk above 100 mg/day chronic use (us ul), numbness. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Vitamin B6?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Vitamin B6 in NutriStack.
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