B6 is for Babies! Flax Oil, B6 and Fertility
“I took B6 and flax oil for extra energy, and I got this little guy.” I commented to my sister Regina as we watched my barely three-month-old baby army crawl six feet across the floor in pursuit of a toy. “And that’s the neurotransmitter support that was combined with the B6 in my supplements. He moves around like he’s almost two months older!”
After two miscarriages, I had accepted that my 2023 baby, born when I was 41, was to be my last. But then I decided to augment my regular multivitamins with a supplement containing extra B6 for energy. I was also alternating flax oil with my usual fish oil for the extra anti-inflammatory effect. The extra energy was just what I needed. So was the other blessing: an uncomplicated pregnancy at age 44 resulting in a happy, healthy baby.
Not to be outdone, Regina, an experienced instructor of human anatomy and physiology like our mother, Marilyn Shannon, author of Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition, promptly informed me that she too had taken extra B6 and flax oil with her regular multivitamin after experiencing cycle irregularities—and she is now expecting.
A Powerful Combination
So, what makes B6 and flaxseed oil such a powerful combination? While all supplements require a good foundational diet and the presence of other micronutrients, research shows that these two supplements are particularly good for fertility. A 2023 article showed that flaxseed oil had wide-spectrum health benefits because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It is one of the highest sources of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid, putting it on par with the better-known fish oil as an anti-inflammatory. Flax oil also supports hormone production and the health of cell membranes, and it is an anti-cancer, anti-microbial agent. It also appears to lower cholesterol and to be protective against osteoporosis. It shows healthy synergistic effects when combined with other oils, such as fish oil and olive oil (Al-Madhagy, 2023).
Flax Oil for Female Infertility
These many health benefits plus the presence of lignans, or plant-based phytoestrogens, make flaxseed oil particularly of interest to women struggling with infertility, especially infertility caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Research indicates that flaxseed oil assists in ovarian function and follicle development, and it appears to also promote healthy development and proper implantation of the newly conceived child at the very earliest stages of pregnancy (Sirotkin, 2023).
Flax Oil for Male Infertility
Flaxseed oil for male fertility is extensively researched in the agriculture industries where it shows significant beneficial effects across numerous species, and human studies are now catching up. It is a strong antioxidant, reducing problems with sperm production and morphology. Properly developed sperm translates to healthier embryo development. One study notes that flax oil for male fertility is particularly helpful when paired with vitamin E. (Yuan et al., 2023).
Vitamin B6 and Female Infertility
Vitamin B6 has multiple benefits for fertility as well. A recent study found that infertility in women was correlated with overall nutritional deficiencies—unsurprisingly—and that those nutritional deficiencies affected fertility more significantly in women aged 35-44. The specific numbers in the study are quite striking: 21.5% of infertile women in the study were low in B6, and over 50% of the infertile women were also deficient in vitamins A, C, E, as well as magnesium and potassium, a reminder that one vitamin does not work alone (Murphy et al., 2026).
B vitamin deficiency can be dietary, but it can be genetically linked as well. A study detailing the low levels of vitamin B6, B12 and folate in a cohort of infertile women found that those carrying a fairly common gene variation (C677T MTHFR polymorphism) that prevents normal metabolism of folic acid were showing significant signs of B vitamin deficiencies. In this study, a full 33% of the women had the MTHFR genetic variation, indicating that getting tested for this variation may be wise for those experiencing infertility (Cirillo et al., 2021). Those who have—or suspect they have—the inability to normally metabolize folate should consider taking forms of B vitamins that are easier to break down, such as methyl-folate instead of folic acid.
B6 vitamin deficiency is also implicated in endometriosis and uterine fibroid tumors, or myomas. In a study of women with endometriosis, the researchers found that women with the most severe (stage III/IV) endometriosis were deficient in B6 and folate (Cirillo et al., 2022). A group of women with uterine fibroid tumors were treated with a combination of vitamin B6, vitamin D, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, a plant polyphenol found in green tea) and then compared to a control group. The nutritional regime reduced fibroid tumor volume by 37.9% and reduced patients’ pain significantly (Miriello et al., 2021).
Vitamin B6 and Male Infertility
Male fertility is also affected by B6. In the male reproductive system, B6 is a necessary antioxidant, protecting against oxidative stress that damages sperm. Correcting B6 deficiency was shown to improve sperm motility and function (Bdeir et al., 2024). B6 and calcium were also found to work together in the male reproductive system to allow proper sperm maturation, with B6 regulating calcium homeostasis, a stable internal environment, necessary for sperm maturation (Shum et al., 2022).
The overall significance of these studies? A healthy, varied diet and a comprehensive multivitamin are foundational for normal fertility. No one biochemical compound or micronutrient works in isolation, and it is recommended to contact one’s doctor about supplements. But many people have particular needs, such as the MTHFR gene variation or environmental stress, that drive their nutritional requirements higher. In such a situation, even a modest change can be powerful—like adding extra B6, ideally in a good B-complex, and taking an extra spoonful of flax oil.
Ultimately, the research on these nutrients is far more than a cohort number in a university study. For many families, as for my sister and me, it is a family legacy of health, energy and a beautiful new life.
Written for Family Foundations magazine by Rosemary Shannon Imrick.
Rosemary is mother to thirteen children by birth and international adoption. She homeschools her children along with her husband Michael in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A freelance writer and copy editor, she taught English Composition at Purdue University Fort Wayne for sixteen years. She now manages Shannon Haven, an agricultural business dedicated to continuing the Shannon family legacy.
Marilyn Shannon, Rosemary’s mother, wrote Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition, which also contains helpful information for optimizing male and female fertility. Find the book in the CCL store. Find more healthy recipes and information about PCOS in our book combo: Food for Fertility & PCOS.
References
Al-Madhagy, S., Ashmawy, N. S., Mamdouh, A., Eldahshan, O. A., & Farag, M. A. (2023). A comprehensive review of the health benefits of flaxseed oil in relation to its chemical composition and comparison with other omega-3-rich oils. European Journal of Medical Research, 28(1), 240. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01203-6
Bdeir, R., Aljabali, S.M., & Banihani, S.A. (2024). Role of pyridoxine and oxidative stress in asthenozoospermia. Heliyon, 10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34799
Cirillo, M., Coccia, M. E., Attanasio, M., & Fatini, C. (2021). Homocysteine, vitamin B status and MTHFR polymorphisms in Italian infertile women. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 263, 72-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.06.003
Cirillo, M., Coccia, M. E., Petraglia, F., & Fatini, C. (2022). Role of endometriosis in defining cardiovascular risk: a gender medicine approach for women’s health. Human Fertility, 25(4), 745–753. https://doi.org/10.1080/14647273.2021.1919764
Miriello, D., Galanti, F., Cignini, P., Antonaci, D., Schiavi, M. C., & Rago, R. (2021). Uterine fibroids treatment: do we have new valid alternative? Experiencing the combination of vitamin D plus epigallocatechin gallate in childbearing age affected women. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 25(7), 2843–2851.
https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202104_25537
Murphy, R.A., Reider, C.A., Grant, R.W.,& Mitmesser, S.H. (2026) Nutrient gaps are prevalent among women experiencing infertility, a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013–2020. PLoS One 21(1): e0341444. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0341444
Shum, W., Zhang, B. L., Cao, A. S., Zhou, X., Shi, S. M., Zhang, Z. Y., Gu, L. Y., & Shi, S. (2022). Calcium homeostasis in the epididymal microenvironment: Is extracellular calcium a cofactor for matrix Gla protein–dependent scavenging regulated by vitamins? Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 10, 827940. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2022.827940
Sirotkin A. V. (2023). Influence of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) on Female Reproduction. Planta medica, 89(6), 608–615. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2013-2966
Yuan, C., Zhang, K., Wang, Z., Ma, X., Liu, H., Zhao, J., Lu, W., & Wang, J. (2023). Dietary flaxseed oil and vitamin E improve semen quality via propionic acid metabolism. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 1139725. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1139725