Blackmores Institute

Vitamin B6 is a well-known coenzyme involved in the synthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and plays a supporting role in the production of neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, making it a key supportive nutrient in mental health.2 Vitamin B6 has been postulated to reduce anxiety and depression through this increased production of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, capable of blocking neural impulses in the brain,3 producing a calming effect on the brain.4Recent evidence for the use of vitamin B6 supplementation for the reduction of anxiety and depression showed promise - potentially offering a natural way to support those living with anxiety and depression. A recent randomised double-blind study found that 100 mg/day of supplemental vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) for a period of one month effectively reduced anxiety.1Previous research has found the average dietary intake of vitamin B6 is comparatively lower in anxious and depressed individuals.5 Other studies have found that the role of the B group vitamins in supporting mood may confer a positive reduction in stress, but not anxiety or depression.6,7 To address this research gap, researchers from the University of Reading investigated the effects of high dose vitamin B6 or B12 supplementation with placebo for mood related outcomes.2<h3> </h3><h3>Details of the current study include:</h3>Males and female student participants (n=478) with self-reported anxiety and depression were randomised into one of three groups to receive either 100 mg/day of vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine hydrochloride), 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 (methyl cobalamin) or placebo (lactose tablet) for 30-35 days.2<h3> </h3><h3>Findings:</h3><ul><li>Highly significant reduction in generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) (p&lt;0.001).</li><li>Overall reduced anxiety in the vitamin B6 treatment group (n=88) (p &lt; 0.001).</li><li>A trend towards a positive effect of vitamin B6 on self-reported depression symptoms.</li><li>A significant reduction of separation anxiety subscale for the vitamin B12 group.2</li></ul><h3> </h3><h3>Limitations:</h3>Study findings may be limited by a short study time frame, however a longer study period using high dose vitamin B6 requires further assessment, as the levels used in this study are considerably higher than the recommended daily intake2 (RDI of 1.3-1.7 mg/day for adults and 1.9 during pregnancy, increasing to 2.0 mg/day during lactation).8 This is important given the known risks associated with high dose vitamin B6 intake.9The population studied were students – this group is typically overrepresented with self-reported anxiety and depression, due to pressures and stress of student commitments.2These study findings are positive for the potential use of vitamin B6 in the management of anxiety and depression. Results suggest short term supplementation of high dose vitamin B6 for self-reported anxiety, depression, and mood related outcomes may be beneficial and provide clinicians with the opportunity to support those with mental health imbalances using nutritional therapy.2 Please note this is not prescriptive advice - when addressing a specific nutrient deficiency always follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. <h3>References</h3><ol><li>Mental health services in Australia: Mental health: prevalence and impact - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 2022 [cited 4 September 2022]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mental-health-services/mental-health</li></ol>2. Field, D.T., Cracknell, R.O., Eastwood, J.R., Scarfe, P., Williams, C.M., Zheng, Y. and Tavassoli, T., 2022. High‐dose Vitamin B6 supplementation reduces anxiety and strengthens visual surround suppression. Human Psychopharmachol [Internet]. July 2022. rel="noopener noreferrer" p.e2852. Available from <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hup.2852" target="_blank" style="">https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hup.2852</a>3. Jewett B, Sharma S. Physiology, GABA [Internet]. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. rel="noopener noreferrer" 2022 [cited 20 September 2022]. Available from: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513311/" target="_blank" style="">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513311/</a> 4. Gauthier I, Nuss P. Anxiety disorders and GABA neurotransmission: a disturbance of modulation. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2015;:165.5. Kafeshani, M., Feizi, A., Esmaillzadeh, A., Keshteli, A.H., Afshar, H., Roohafza, H. and Adibi, P., 2019. Higher vitamin B6 intake is associated with lower depression and anxiety risk in women but not in men: a large cross-sectional study. Int. rel="noopener noreferrer" J Vitam Nutr Res [Internet]. June 2019. 90(5-6), pp.484-492. Available from <a href="https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1024/0300-9831/a000589" target="_blank" style="">https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1024/0300-9831/a000589</a>6. Holton, K.F., 2021. Micronutrients May Be a Unique Weapon Against the Neurotoxic Triad of Excitotoxicity, Oxidative Stress and rel="noopener noreferrer" Neuroinflammation: A Perspective. Front. Neurosci [Internet] September 2021. p.1232. Available from <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.726457/full" target="_blank" style="">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.726457/full</a>7. Smith, A.K., Wade, A.R., Penkman, K.E. and Baker, D.H., 2017. Dietary modulation of cortical excitation and inhibition. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(5), pp.632-637. 8. Vitamin B6 rel="noopener noreferrer" Australian Government: National Health and Medical Research Council. [Internet]. 2022 [cited 20 September 2022]. Available from: <a href="https://www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/vitamin-b6" target="_blank" style="">https://www.nrv.gov.au/nutrients/vitamin-b6</a>9. rel="noopener noreferrer" Vicky thought supplements would improve her health. They nearly killed her [Internet]. Abc.net.au. 2022 [cited 20 September 2022]. Available from: <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-25/vitamin-supplements-lead-to-b6-toxcity-and-chronic-illness/101351800" target="_blank" style="">https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-25/vitamin-supplements-lead-to-b6-toxcity-and-chronic-illness/101351800</a>

Data from the 2021 National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing identified 43.7% of Australians aged 16-85 had experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives.1 Of those who had experienced a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, 16.8% also experienced anxiety.1With mental health imbalances presenting in such high numbers, natural medicine, in the form of vitamin B6, may offer benefits to those suffering from anxiety and depression.

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