Scientists found a vitamin capable of alleviating symptoms of depression

Higher blood concentrations of vitamin B6 may be associated with a lower likelihood of pronounced depressive symptoms. At the same time, no such association was found for most other vitamins studied after accounting for confounding factors.

This is reported by the Journal of Affective Disorders.

Scientists examined data from over 26,000 adult participants in the large American NHANES study, collected over the period from 2005 to 2014. The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the PHQ-9 questionnaire and then compared with intake levels and blood concentrations of vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B9, and B12. At least mild signs of depression were found in approximately one in four participants.

At the initial stage of analysis, elevated levels of several vitamins simultaneously demonstrated an association with lower prevalence of depressive manifestations. However, once the researchers accounted for age, sex, income, education level, body weight, smoking, alcohol consumption, and overall health status, most of these associations simply dissolved.

The sole exception was vitamin B6. Its elevated blood concentration maintained a weak but statistically significant association with a lower likelihood of moderately severe and severe depressive symptoms.

The authors of the study emphasize that vitamin B6 is directly involved in the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid — key substances responsible for nervous system function and mood regulation.