A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders showed that higher levels of vitamin B6 in the body may be associated with a reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms.
The team analyzed data from over 26,000 adults participating in the National Health and Safety Survey (NHANES) between 2005 and 2014. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the PHQ-9 questionnaire, and the intake or concentration of vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B9, and B12 was compared with the presence and severity of depression. The results showed that approximately one-quarter of the sample experienced at least mild depressive symptoms.
Initially, higher levels of several vitamins were associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms, but after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, income, education, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, and general health status, these associations almost disappeared, with the exception of vitamin B6, where higher blood concentrations remained weakly associated with a lower likelihood of developing moderate to severe depression.
The researchers pointed out that vitamin B6 contributes to stimulating the secretion and synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, substances that regulate mood and nervous system functions.
The researchers stressed that the study does not prove that the vitamin has a protective effect, or that taking it as a dietary supplement can treat depression. Rather, the results show that the relationship between diet and mental health depends largely on a person's lifestyle and general health status.
Despite the benefits of this vitamin for brain and nervous system health, health experts warn that excessive consumption over long periods may lead to damage to peripheral sensory nerves, causing numbness or pain in the hands and feet, which may not completely disappear even after stopping its use.
