Published on 07/20/2022 16:24
Study shows that vitamin B6 helps the body produce a specific chemical messenger – (Credit: Freepik/jcomp)
One solution to reduce anxiety and depression may be to take high doses of vitamin B6 supplements, according to research from the University of Reading in the UK. The results of the survey were published in scientific . magazine Human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental Tuesday (7/19).
According to David Field, one of the authors of the text, the functioning of the brain depends on a delicate balance between excitatory neurons that carry information and inhibitory neurons, which prevent uncontrolled activity. “Modern theories have linked mood disorders to certain other neuropsychiatric conditions and disruption of this balance, often in the direction of elevated levels of brain activity,” he explains.
The study showed that vitamin B6 helps the body produce a specific chemical messenger that dampens impulses in the brain and links this calming effect to reduced anxiety among participants.
More than 300 people were randomly given vitamin B6 or B12 supplements in excess of the recommended daily intake (about 50 times the recommended daily allowance) or a placebo, and took one dose daily with food for a month.
Thus, researchers were able to analyze the effects of the vitamin on the body. Vitamin B12 had little effect compared to placebo during the testing period, but vitamin B6 made a statistically reliable difference.
Vitamins B6 is known to increase the body’s production of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a chemical that blocks impulses between nerve cells in the brain, and in the study researchers identified elevated levels of GABA among participants who took vitamin supplements. The theory that B6 was responsible for reducing anxiety.
“It is important to realize that this research is at an early stage and that the effect of vitamin B6 on anxiety in our study was very small compared to what you would expect from medications. However, nutrition-based interventions produce far fewer unpleasant side effects than medications and, therefore, in In the future, people may prefer these interventions,” says Field.
He further points out that more research is needed to identify other dietary measures that may benefit mental health and allow for the integration of different dietary interventions in the future to provide better results.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.