Vitamin B6 and Ginger Found Similarly Effective for Pregnancy-Related Nausea, suggests study
A clinical study found that vitamin B6 and ginger were both effective in reducing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Both treatments helped improve symptoms significantly. Nausea is one of the most common problems during the first half of pregnancy. The study noted that about 85% of pregnant women experience nausea in early pregnancy. The symptom usually begins between the first and second missed menstrual periods. It often reaches its peak around the ninth week and may continue until weeks 14 to 16. Although nausea is usually worse in the morning, it can last throughout the day.
Pregnancy-related nausea often improves naturally over time. However, researchers noted that it can still cause considerable stress for pregnant women and those around them. It may also affect daily activities, work, and quality of life. Ginger has been used as a therapeutic remedy in many parts of the world for centuries. Its use has become increasingly common in Western countries, especially for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Although earlier findings on ginger have been encouraging, the article noted that it should be used with caution. Researchers suggested that ginger is best studied and used within controlled clinical trials.
The exact cause of nausea during pregnancy is not fully understood. Because of this, several types of medicines are often prescribed based on experience. However, chemical medicines are used carefully in early pregnancy because of concerns about possible effects on fetal development. These concerns have increased interest in alternative treatments. Vitamin B6 is commonly considered a first-line treatment for pregnancy-related nausea. Some pregnant women may still need additional medicines, such as antihistamines. However, these medicines may cause side effects, including muscle weakness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and visual disturbances.
The study compared vitamin B6, taken at 40 mg twice daily, with ginger, taken at 250 mg four times daily. The goal was to measure how well each treatment reduced pregnancy-related nausea.
The clinical trial was conducted at health centers affiliated with Qazvin University of Medical Sciences between November 2010 and February 2011. Pregnant women in the study received either vitamin B6 or ginger, and researchers measured the effect of each treatment on nausea symptoms.
The results showed that both treatments significantly reduced symptom scores. Before treatment, the average score was 9.35 ± 1.97 in the vitamin B6 group and 9.80 ± 2.03 in the ginger group. After treatment, the scores decreased to 5.98 ± 1.45 and 6.28 ± 1.63, respectively.
Researchers concluded that there was no significant difference between ginger and vitamin B6 in reducing pregnancy-induced nausea. Both treatments were similarly effective in reducing vomiting and the duration of nausea. Vitamin B6 appeared to be slightly more effective in reducing retching, but the difference was not statistically significant.No side effects were observed in either treatment group during the study. However, the researchers recommended longer studies to better assess possible side effects.
Source: Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Obstetrics and Gynecology International, Volume 2013, Article ID 927834, 4 pages.
