Alternative Health Blog

In a study involving 3,503 older adults (65 years of age and older), 59% of whom were African-American, higher total intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 were associated with decreased likelihood of depressive symptoms at 12 years follow up, after adjusting for various confounding factors. Specifically, a 2% lower odds of depressive symptoms per year was associated with 10 additional milligrams of vitamin B6 or 10 additional milligrams of vitamin B12. No such associations were found with food intakes of these vitamins. The authors conclude, "Our results support the hypotheses that high total intakes of vitamins B-6 and B-12 are protective of depressive symptoms over time in community-residing older adults."