Daily vitamin B6 supplementation may reduce symptoms of anxiety in young adults, according to a British study.
The B vitamins play an essential role in a large number of cellular processes essential to the nervous system and the functioning of the brain. Researchers at the University of Reading, in Great Britain, therefore sought to find out if vitamin B6 supplementation could have an influence on the nervous system, and if this could alleviate anxiety.
The scientists recruited 478 young adults who reported suffering from anxiety or depression. After measuring their symptoms, they gave some of them vitamin B6 or vitamin B12 supplements at doses above the recommended daily allowances (about 50 times the recommended daily allowance) and others a placebo. Patients took this supplement daily for a month.
At the end of this test, the researchers found little improvement or difference in the vitamin B12 and placebo groups. On the other hand, patients who had taken vitamin B 6 felt less anxious and depressed.
“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 in participants,” explained lead author Dr David Field. ‘study. “Many foods, including tuna, chickpeas, and many fruits and vegetables, contain this vitamin. However, the high doses used in this trial suggest that to have a positive effect on mood, it is necessary to take a supplementation,” he added.
Source : High-dose Vitamin B6 supplementation reduces anxiety and strengthens visual surround suppression, Human psychopharmacology, July 2022
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