Vitamin B6 Supplements Could Reduce Anxiety and Depression

New research has shown that high-dose Vitamin B6 tablets can reduce anxiety and depression.

Researchers at the University of Reading studied the effects of Vitamin B6 supplements on young adults. They found that they felt less anxious and depressed after taking the vitamins every day for a month.

This study was published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology. Clinical and Experimental. It provides evidence that supplements can alter brain activity to treat or prevent mood disorders.

Dr David Field, a lead author at the School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading said that “The brain functions depend on a delicate balance of excitatory neurons, which carry information, and inhibitory neurons, which stop runaway activity.”

Recent theories link mood disorders with neuropsychiatric conditions, including those that cause elevated levels of brain activity.

“Vitamin B6 is a chemical messenger that the body produces to inhibit impulses in the brain. Our study shows that this calm effect can be linked with lower anxiety among participants.”

Although studies in the past have shown that multivitamins and marmite reduce stress levels, very few studies have looked into whether certain vitamins are responsible.

This new study examined the role of Vitamins B6 in the body’s production and use of GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid). GABA is a chemical that blocks nerve impulses within the brain.

The current trial involved more than 300 participants who were randomly assigned Vitamin B6 and B12 supplements that exceeded the daily recommended intake (approximately 50x the daily allowance), or a placebo. They took one daily with food for a whole month.

The trial showed that Vitamin B12 had no effect on placebo, while Vitamin B6 had statistically significant differences.

Visual tests at the end confirmed that participants had increased levels of GABA after taking Vitamin B6 supplements. This supports the hypothesis that B6 is responsible for anxiety reduction. Consistent with the controlled brain activity, subtle but harmless changes were observed in visual performance.

Dr Field stated that Vitamin B6 is found in many foods including tuna, chickpeas, and many fruits, vegetables. High doses in this study suggest that supplementation is necessary for a positive impact on mood.

“It’s important to recognize that this research is still in its early stages and that the effects of Vitamin B6 on anxiety was very small compared with what you might expect from medication. Nutrition-based interventions have far fewer side effects than drugs and may be preferred by some people in the future.

“To make this a feasible choice, more research is required to identify other nutrition-based strategies that improve mental wellbeing. This will allow different dietary interventions to be combined in the future to produce greater results.

“One option is to combine Vitamin B6 with talking therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to increase their effectiveness.”

Vitamin B6 Supplements May Reduce Anxiety And Depression appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

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By: jbenson@innovisionhm.com
Title: Vitamin B6 Supplements Could Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/blog/how-magnets-may-cure-depression/
Published Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2022 13:22:24 +0000