Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) is a form of vitamin B that plays an important role in several neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and GABA [Field, 2022].
Higher B6 intake and levels may improve anxiety and depression [Kafeshani, 2019; Mikkelsen, 2018]. B6 supplementation can improve memory [Deijen, 1992], depression [Curtin, 2022], cognitive performance [Qin, 2017].
In clinical studies, vitamin B6 supplementation has been proven as effective for migraine prevention [Askari, 2017; Liampas, 2020; Sadeghi, 2015; Tian, 2024].
References
Askari G, Nasiri M, Mozaffari-Khosravi H, et al. The effects of folic acid and pyridoxine supplementation on characteristics of migraine attacks in migraine patients with aura: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Nutrition 2017;38:74–79
Curtin A, Johnston CS. Vitamin B6 supplementation reduces symptoms of depression in college women taking oral contraceptives: a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. J Diet Suppl 2023;20:550-62
Deijen, J, van der Beek, E, Orlebeke, J, van der Berg H. Vitamin B‐6 supplementation in elderly men: Effects on mood, memory, performance and mental effort. Psychopharmacology 1992;109(4):489–496
Field DT, Cracknell RO, Eastwood JR, et al. High-dose vitamin B6 supplementation reduces anxiety and strengthens visual surround suppression. Hum Psychopharmacol 2022;37:e2852
Kafeshani M, Feizi A, Esmailzadeh A, et al. Higher vitamin B6 intake is associated with lower depression and anxiety risk in women but not in men: a large cross-sectional study. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 2019;90:5-6
Liampas IN, Siokas V, Aloizou AM, et al. Pyridoxine, folate and cobalamin for migraine: a systematic review. Acta Neurol Scand 2020;142:108-120
Mikkelsen K, Hallam K , Stojanovska L, Apostolopoulos, V. Yeast based spreads improve anxiety and stress. J Funct Foods 2018;40:471–476
Qin B., Xun P., Jacobs D.R., et al. Intake of niacin, folate, vitamin B-6, and vitamin B-12 through young adulthood and cognitive function in midlife: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2017;106:1032–1040
Sadeghi O, Nasiri M, Maghsoudi Z, et al. Effects of pyridoxine supplementation on severity, frequency and duration of migraine attacks in migraine patients with aura: a double-blind randomized clinical trial study in Iran. Iran J Neurol 2015;14:74-80
Tian S, Yu X, Wu L, et al. Vitamin B6 and folate intake are associated with lower risk of severe headache or migraine in adults: an analysis based on NHANES 1999-2004. Nutr Res 2024;121:51-60
