The authors of the study propose that taking vitamin B6 pills in addition to conventional treatments like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy may be helpful.
According to recent studies, high-dose vitamin B6 supplements have been demonstrated to lessen depressive and anxious symptoms.
After taking the supplements for a month, the young adults investigated by the University of Reading reported experiencing fewer of these emotions.
Few studies have specifically examined which vitamins may be responsible for the stress-reducing effects of multivitamins.
The body produces more GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), a substance that inhibits impulses between brain nerve cells, thanks to vitamin B6. The vitamin "helps the body create a specific chemical messenger that suppresses impulses in the brain, and our study ties this calming impact with lower anxiety among the subjects," according to lead author Dr. David Field.
A total of 478 participants were randomly assigned to receive a placebo, higher-than-recommended doses of vitamin B6 or B12, or a placebo.
The study discovered that while B12 did not significantly differ from the placebo, B6 significantly affected the individuals and increased their GABA levels. The vitamin is found in many fruits and vegetables, chickpeas, and tuna, but Dr. Field said supplementation would probably be required to improve a person's mood.
The effects were "very tiny" in comparison to medication, he added, adding that the research was still in its early stages but that B6 may be used in conjunction with more conventional treatments.
To increase the effectiveness of talking therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, he suggested pairing vitamin B6 tablets with them.
The fact that "nutrition-based interventions create considerably less unpleasant side effects than medications," he continued, is another advantage.
The research is published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental.
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