Vitamin B6 plays an essential role in the normal functioning of the nervous system and is required for the production of important brain chemicals involved in regulating mood. In this study, researchers found that taking 100 mg of vitamin B6 daily for one month significantly reduced symptoms among participants who had mild or more severe depression at the start of the trial. The study involved 268 adults who were randomly assigned to receive vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or a placebo.
The researchers suggest that vitamin B6 may exert its effects partly by increasing production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical messenger that helps regulate activity in the brain. Vitamin B6 is also involved in the metabolism of other neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. Significantly, the researchers point out that conventional antidepressant drugs do not work for everyone and can cause unwanted side effects, highlighting the need to investigate alternative approaches.
While further research will be needed to determine whether the benefits seen here can be maintained over longer periods, the findings provide another reminder that nutrition can influence not only physical health but mental wellbeing too. Depression is generally treated primarily with drugs and psychological therapies, while the role of micronutrients receives comparatively little attention. Research examining nutritional approaches therefore has considerable potential to improve our understanding of how mental health can be supported naturally.
To read about the mounting evidence linking B vitamin deficiencies with depression, see this article on our website.
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A daily high-dose vitamin B6 supplement could significantly reduce symptoms of depression in people who already experience them, new research from the University of Reading in the UK has found.
[Source: reading.ac.uk]
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Comment
Vitamin B6 plays an essential role in the normal functioning of the nervous system and is required for the production of important brain chemicals involved in regulating mood. In this study, researchers found that taking 100 mg of vitamin B6 daily for one month significantly reduced symptoms among participants who had mild or more severe depression at the start of the trial. The study involved 268 adults who were randomly assigned to receive vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or a placebo.
The researchers suggest that vitamin B6 may exert its effects partly by increasing production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical messenger that helps regulate activity in the brain. Vitamin B6 is also involved in the metabolism of other neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. Significantly, the researchers point out that conventional antidepressant drugs do not work for everyone and can cause unwanted side effects, highlighting the need to investigate alternative approaches.
While further research will be needed to determine whether the benefits seen here can be maintained over longer periods, the findings provide another reminder that nutrition can influence not only physical health but mental wellbeing too. Depression is generally treated primarily with drugs and psychological therapies, while the role of micronutrients receives comparatively little attention. Research examining nutritional approaches therefore has considerable potential to improve our understanding of how mental health can be supported naturally.
To read about the mounting evidence linking B vitamin deficiencies with depression, see this article on our website.
Dr. Rath Health Foundation
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