Increased Use of Vitamin B6 Linked to Less Depression

Published by Life Extension

A report published online recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reveals a lower risk of developing depression among men and women who consume greater amounts of vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.*

Researchers at Rush University Medical Center evaluated data from 3,503 participants in the Chicago Health and Aging project, an ongoing study of adults aged 65 and older. Four hundred seventy-one participants reported at least 4 depressive symptoms over up to 12 years of follow-up. Adjusted analysis of the data revealed that higher intakes of both vitamin B6 and B12 from food and supplements were associated with decreased depressive symptoms over the course of follow-up.

“Our results support the hypotheses that high total intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 are protective of depressive symptoms over time in community-residing older adults,” Kimberly A. Skarupski and colleagues conclude.

Editor’s note: The authors note that vitamin B12 from food sources has poor bioavailability and absorption, especially in older individuals.

—Dayna Dye

Reference

* Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jun 2.

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