Vitamin B6 contributes to the reduction of symptoms of depression and anxiety

One study published this month of July indicated that the supplementation of vitamin B6 can reduce anxiety and depression. The work was published in the English journal Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental. If you suffer from these problems mental health or just interested in the subject, check out the main findings and learn how this vitamin can be useful.

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Pyridoxine supplementation may reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety

Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is a B-complex vitamin commonly found in plant-based foods such as bananas and whole grains. As main functions, it acts in the process of absorption of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and plays an important role in the functioning of the nervous system.

Precisely because it performs functions related to brain functioning, a group of researchers decided to to study the effects of vitamin B6 supplementation in UK youth suffering from depression and anxiety.

Briefly, the study investigated the effects of vitamin B6 or B12 supplementation, compared to a placebo (a substance that has no effect on the body) over a period of one month. In total, 478 young adults participated in the study.

Main findings of the work

Vitamin B6 supplementation was associated with reduced self-reported anxiety and led to a trend toward reduced depression. Furthermore, vitamin B12 supplementation produced trends towards changes in anxiety and visual processing.

As final considerations, the authors highlighted that the results of the work suggest that vitamin B6 supplementation increases activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits the central nervous system and, consequently, produces a feeling of relaxation and calm.

Need for more research

The authors stressed that more research is needed to identify other nutritional measures that may induce mental well-being. In this way, different dietary interventions can be combined in the future to provide better results.

While there are insufficient data to recommend vitamin B6 and B12 supplementation for treat mental health problems, you can and should get these vitamins from your diet daily.

Therefore, pay attention to your intake of fruits, oats and brown rice, but, on the other hand, consume moderate amounts (twice a week) of red meat, because despite being the main source of vitamin B12 in the diet, it is a type of meat associated with diseases cardiovascular.