Emotions and anxiety are controlled by a network of specialized cells -- called neurons -- within your brain. Improper neuron signaling within the brain can lead to defects in mood regulation, leading to the development of depression, anxiety disorders and other psychological disorders. While vitamins may not present a cure for all forms of depression and anxiety, deficiencies in specific vitamins may increase your risk of these disorders, and relieving vitamin deficiencies may improve anxiety and depression.
Vitamin B-5
One vitamin that may aid in relieving depression and anxiety is vitamin B-5, also called pantothenic acid. Vitamin B-5 plays an essential role in supporting your body's well-being, and vitamin B-5 deficiency can cause depression. Pantothenic acid also serves as an essential regulator of hormone production within your body. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that vitamin B-5 helps to regulate the production of stress hormones with the adrenal glands of the body. Since some patients suffering from depression or anxiety develop abnormal levels of stress hormones, consuming vitamin B-5 may help your body normalize stress hormone production, although the link between vitamin B-5 and psychological disorders has not been fully explored.
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6, also called pyroxidine, may also help alleviate depression or anxiety. Pyridoxine helps with mood regulation by supporting the formation of chemicals called neurotransmitters. These chemicals allow your brain cells to communicate with each other, helping to control your emotions and anxiety. Specifically, vitamin B-6 aids in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that can boost your mood and fight depression. As a result, vitamin B-6 deficiency may lead to depression, due to a lack of serotonin, reports the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Although vitamin B-6 has not proved effective in treating depression in all cases, consuming vitamin B-6 to relieve a vitamin deficiency may help boost serotonin production in your brain, alleviating the depression that can occur with vitamin B-6 deficiency.
Vitamin B12
Another vitamin that may aid depression and anxiety is vitamin B-12, or cobalmin. This vitamin acts as a co-factor and regulator of specific enzymes within your body, and plays a role in the proper functioning of your cardiovascular system, as well as a number of other tissues in your body. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University explains that deficiencies in vitamin B-12 are linked to depression, with vitamin B-12-deficient patients around 70 percent more likely to suffer from depression. Although the specific effect of vitamin B-12 and depression has not yet been established, it may have an effect on neurotransmitters in your brain, and in turn effect mood regulation.
