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Vitamin B6 For Morning Sickness: Is It Useful?

Vitamin B6 For Morning Sickness: Is It Useful?

22 May 2023 | 5 min Read

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

The University of Michigan Health suggests taking vitamin B6 for morning sickness, as it helps reduce vomiting and nausea. A usual dose of 10-25 mg of vitamin B6 thrice a day is considered effective in reducing these symptoms.

However, you should always consult your doctor before taking any vitamin supplements during pregnancy, as an overdose can cause temporary nerve damage. Read on as we discuss more the benefits of taking vitamin B6 during pregnancy, the recommended dosage, and other safe alternatives to help alleviate your morning sickness symptoms.

Vitamin B6 For Morning Sickness: How Is It Useful?

Vitamin B6 exhibits antiemetic properties that help reduce vomiting and nausea during pregnancy / Image credit: Freepik

Vitamin B6 is available in several forms, such as pyridoxal, pyridoxine, and pyridoxal phosphate, which are responsible for various enzymatic reactions in your body. While researchers are yet to confirm which form of vitamin B6 alleviates morning sickness, certain studies have confirmed pyridoxal phosphate shows antiemetic effects (anit-vomiting and nausea).

However, more research is needed to confirm which form of vitamin B6 helps soothe morning sickness during pregnancy.

Is It Safe To Take Vitamin B6 For Morning Sickness During Pregnancy?

Vomiting and nausea occur in most women during pregnancy. The treatment for this is initiated with vitamin B6 supplementation and dietary changes. Several studies have confirmed that vitamin B6 is safe for pregnant women.

However, the dosage of vitamin B6 supplementation may vary from one woman to another. Hence, always consult your doctor to determine a safe dosage for you before taking the supplementation during pregnancy.

Alternatives To Vitamin B6 Supplements?

Foods like spinach are rich in vitamin B6 which helps enhance your health during pregnancy / Image credit: Freepik

While supplements are a good way to alleviate your morning sickness symptoms, you can also consider increasing your vitamin B6 intake through dietary sources to improve your overall health.

Foods that are enriched with vitamin B6 include:

Salmon: This heart-healthy fish is also an excellent source of vitamin B6. Besides vitamin B6, salmon also contains essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and DHA that are foundational to your baby’s brain and nerve development in the womb. You can have wild salmon and prepare it with different spices at home to enhance its taste.
Carrots: A medium-sized carrot supplies as much vitamin B6 as a glass of milk. It’s also high in fibre and vitamin A, which help keep your iron levels and metabolism in check.
Spinach: Spinach is enriched with vitamin B6, as well as vitamins A and C, and iron. These crucial nutrients help boost your immunity and ward off infections during pregnancy. You can have spinach in the form of a soup, or also add it to your breakfast omelette or fresh salad.
Eggs: Eggs are loaded with nutrients and offer almost 10% of the recommended daily value of vitamin B6. Eggs make for a perfect breakfast, and you can also have them during your lunch or dinner. Just ensure to add a bunch of veggies to your recipe to increase your fibre intake and make your meal more nutritious.
Sweet potato: Sweet potatoes have a high concentration of vitamin B6 and they are also rich in vitamin A, fibre, and magnesium. It also helps improve your digestion and prevent constipation during pregnancy.
Bananas: Bananas are also packed with vitamin B6 and can help soothe your nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. They are also easily digestible and you can have them as a snack when you are feeling hungry.
Avocado: Apart from vitamin B6, avocados are rich in vitamin C, fibre, and healthy fats. It also exhibits anti-nausea effects and helps enhance your energy levels. You can have an avocado smoothie and add bananas or blueberries to boost its nutritional value.

How To Get Relief From Morning Sickness Naturally?

You may consider the following ways to manage your morning sickness during pregnancy.

Have small, but frequent meals. This will avoid discomfort in your stomach and prevent nausea or vomiting.
Maintain adequate hydration levels, and refresh with fresh fruit juices to regulate your electrolyte levels.
Avoid triggers of nausea and vomiting, such as foods with strong odour or taste.
Start your day with dry carbohydrates, such as biscuits or crackers to fight nausea and vomiting.
Consult your doctor about changing your prenatal or iron supplements.
Consume high-fibre foods as they replenish your energy levels and reduce fatigue. They are also easily digestible and don’t irritate your stomach lining.
Ginger exhibits antioxidant properties that help relieve vomiting and nausea. You can add ginger to your tea in the morning to alleviate your symptoms.

Conclusion

Taking vitamin B6 for morning sickness during pregnancy is encouraged as it exhibits antiemetic properties and helps alleviate vomiting and nausea. While supplementation is a good way of increasing your vitamin B6, you can also make some dietary changes to boost your nutritional intake.

However, as discussed, do consult your doctor about the dosage of vitamin B6 before taking them, as an excess of it can lead to certain pregnancy complications.