A new study has found that high doses of Vitamin B6 may help calm anxiety and reduce depression. The study provides valuable evidence supporting the use of supplements believed to modify brain activity levels to prevent or treat mood disorders. Researchers at the University of Reading found that the vitamin can interfere with brain chemistry and ultimately reduce levels of anxiety and depression.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is important for the normal growth of the brain and for maintaining the health of the nervous and immune systems. The study, conducted on 300 adults with an average age of 23, aimed to see if high doses of B6 could reduce the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The researchers divided the participants into groups, with one group receiving daily B6 supplements, another group receiving Vitamin B12, and the final group receiving placebo pills for a month.
The study found that those who took the B6 supplements experienced a "significant" reduction in depression and anxiety, while those who took Vitamin B12 showed little effect compared to the placebo during the trial. Dr. David Field, the lead author of the study, explained that "Vitamin B6 helps the body produce a specific chemical messenger that inhibits impulses in the brain, and our study links this calming effect to reduced anxiety among participants."
The researchers noted that participants in the study consumed over 50 times the recommended amount of Vitamin B6, which is about 70 mg. They added, "Many foods, including tuna, chickpeas, and various fruits and vegetables, contain Vitamin B6. However, the high doses used in this trial suggest that supplements would be necessary for a positive effect on mood. It is important to recognize that this research is in the early stages and that the effect of Vitamin B6 on anxiety in our study was very small compared to what we would expect from medications. However, nutrition-based interventions produce significantly fewer unpleasant side effects than medications, and thus may be preferred by people in the future as an intervention."
To make this a realistic option, further research is needed to identify other nutrition-based interventions that benefit mental health, allowing for the integration of various dietary interventions in the future to provide better outcomes. The researchers added, "One potential option is to combine Vitamin B6 supplements with psychological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to enhance their effect."
