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Meta-Analysis
. 2019 Sep 16;11(9):2232.
doi: 10.3390/nu11092232.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and 'At-Risk' Individuals

Lauren M Young  1 , Andrew Pipingas  2 , David J White  3 , Sarah Gauci  4 , Andrew Scholey  5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and 'At-Risk' Individuals

Lauren M Young et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to examine and quantify the effects of B vitamin supplementation on mood in both healthy and 'at-risk' populations. A systematic search identified all available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of daily supplementation with ≥3 B group vitamins with an intervention period of at least four weeks. Random effects models for a standardized mean difference were used to test for overall effect. Heterogeneity was tested using the I2 statistic. Eighteen articles (16 trials, 2015 participants) were included, of which 12 were eligible for meta-analysis. Eleven of the 18 articles reported a positive effect for B vitamins over a placebo for overall mood or a facet of mood. Of the eight studies in 'at-risk' cohorts, five found a significant benefit to mood. Regarding individual facets of mood, B vitamin supplementation benefited stress (n = 958, SMD = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.45, p = 0.03). A benefit to depressive symptoms did not reach significance (n = 568, SMD = 0.15, 95% CI = -0.01, 0.32, p = 0.07), and there was no effect on anxiety (n = 562, SMD = 0.03, 95% CI = -0.13, 0.20, p = 0.71). The review provides evidence for the benefit of B vitamin supplementation in healthy and at-risk populations for stress, but not for depressive symptoms or anxiety. B vitamin supplementation may particularly benefit populations who are at risk due to (1) poor nutrient status or (2) poor mood status.

Keywords: B-vitamins; anxiety; depression; mental health; meta-analysis; mood; review; stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.S., A.P., and D.J.W. have received research funding, honoraria, and conference support from the nutrition and supplement industry.

Figures

Figure A1
Figure A1
Depressive symptoms with outliers included.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram depicting the selection process for articles included in this meta-analysis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot of meta-analysis of depressive symptoms.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot of meta-analysis on stress symptoms.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest plot of meta-analysis on anxiety symptoms.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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