Vitamin B6 could reduce depression symptoms, Reading study suggests
High-dose supplements show potential in new trial
A new study from the University of Reading has revealed that high-dose Vitamin B6 supplements may significantly reduce symptoms of depression in individuals who already experience them.
The research, detailed in the Depression and Anxiety journal, involved a double-blind randomised trial where participants consumed a 100mg Vitamin B6 tablet daily for one month. Those with mild to severe depression showed a notable reduction in symptoms compared to those given a placebo or Vitamin B12.
This is the first randomised controlled trial to demonstrate the potential of Vitamin B6 as a depression treatment, strengthening previous epidemiological evidence that links Vitamin B6 levels with depression risk.
Dr David Field, the study's lead author from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading, emphasised the significance of Vitamin B6 in mood regulation.
“Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world, but many patients choose not to take existing drug treatments either due to the side effects or because they find them ineffective," David Field said.
Vitamin B6 plays an essential role in producing brain chemical messengers such as serotonin and GABA, which are vital for mood regulation. The increase in these neurotransmitters is believed to be behind the observed reduction in depression symptoms when taking a high dose of B6 regularly.
Dr Field believes these promising results justify further large-scale clinical trials to evaluate Vitamin B6 as a standalone treatment or alongside existing therapies. Although no side effects were reported during the study, any future trials should monitor potential adverse effects.
Vitamin B6 is prevalent in everyday foods like poultry, fish, whole grains, bananas, and leafy greens, among others. While outright deficiency in Vitamin B6 is rare, earlier studies suggest that low levels may worsen depression symptoms, whereas increasing intake beyond typical dietary levels can help reduce them.
This study builds on prior research from 2022, also led by Dr Field, that found high-dose Vitamin B6 could alleviate anxiety symptoms. For the current study, 268 participants were randomly assigned to receive either Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, or a placebo for a month. Among those with depression symptoms, notable improvement was seen compared to other groups.