Since the 1940s, vitamin B6 has been considered a safe treatment for morning sickness during pregnancy. In spite of its name, morning sickness can occur at any time of the day. Nausea affects between 70 and 85 percent of women in the early stages of pregnancy. Taking large doses of vitamin B6 in the form of shots may relieve queasiness and vomiting and help control potential weight loss, dehydration or malnutrition.
Vitamin B6 Identification
Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin and one of eight B vitamins. B vitamins assist the body in converting carbohydrates into fuel to produce energy. Vitamin B6 is essential for the development of neurotransmitters, which carry signals to cells, and for normal brain development and function. Dietary sources of vitamin B6 include meat and fish, dairy products, beans and lentils, and whole grains. (See Reference 3)
Morning Sickness
Morning sickness is common for many women during the first three or four months of pregnancy. Some women experience symptoms throughout their entire pregnancy. Morning sickness may be caused by hormone changes or low blood sugar and is often worsened by emotional stress, fatigue or the smell of certain foods. Nausea in pregnancy can be more severe in women carrying twins or triplets.
Recommendations
The recommended daily allowance, or RDA, for vitamin B6 in men and women ages 19 to 50 is 1.3 mg, according to the National Institute of Health. To meet the needs of their developing baby, pregnant women need 1.9 mg of vitamin B6 daily, which helps assist in the production of antibodies, red blood cells and neurotransmitters. Prenatal vitamins contain B6 and typically contain adequate amounts. However, to ease nausea from morning sickness, the recommended dose is much higher -- 10 to 25 mg, three times per day, which can only be attained from vitamin B6 shots or concentrated supplements, according to BabyCenter.com.
Effectiveness
A 2003 study at the University of Bristol in England assessed the effects of various methods of treating morning sickness in the early stages of pregnancy. The trials included vitamin B6, antihistamines, Bendectin, acupressure and ginger. The conclusion, published in the Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, found that vitamin B6 is very effective in reducing the severity of nausea with morning sickness with no evidence of fetal malformation.
Cautions
Very high doses of over 200 mg of vitamin B6 a day may cause neurological disorders, including imbalance or numbness in the legs, and may raise concerns about possible birth defects. A study by the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver in 2002 suggested that large doses of vitamin B6 may indeed have adverse affects on the neuron function of developing fetuses. As published in "Nutritional Neuroscience", the recommendation is for pregnant women, or those of childbearing years, to use caution if administering large quantities of vitamin B6.
References
- Oregon State University: Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin B6: Disease Treatment: Morning Sickness
- Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews: Interventions for Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy; D Jewell et al.; 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B6
- National Institutes of Health: Morning Sickness
- Office of Dietary Supplements: National Institute of Health: Vitamin B6
- BabyCenter: Does Vitamin B6 Help Relieve Morning Sickness?
