Magnesium B6 Combo Beats Stress Better Than Magnesium Alone

Key Findings

This trial demonstrated that combined magnesium (300 mg) and high-dose vitamin B6 (30 mg) supplementation significantly outperformed magnesium alone in reducing perceived stress in healthy adults with laboratory-confirmed low blood magnesium levels (magnesemia). The primary outcome, measured by the validated Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), showed a 24.6% reduction in the combination group versus an 11.3% reduction in the magnesium-only group after 8 weeks (p<0.001). Only the combination group achieved stress levels classified as "normal" on the PSS-10.

Study Design

This was a randomized, single-blind, active-controlled clinical trial conducted in 2018. It enrolled 220 healthy adults (aged 18-50 years) with documented low serum magnesium levels (magnesemia < 0.80 mmol/L) and self-reported high stress. Participants were randomized to receive either magnesium pidolate (300 mg elemental Mg) plus pyridoxine (30 mg vitamin B6) or magnesium pidolate alone (300 mg elemental Mg) daily for 8 weeks. The single-blind design meant assessors were unaware of group assignments, but participants knew their treatment. The primary endpoint was change in PSS-10 score.

Dosage & Administration

Both groups received one tablet daily for 8 weeks. The intervention group received 300 mg of elemental magnesium (as magnesium pidolate) combined with 30 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6). The control group received 300 mg of elemental magnesium (as magnesium pidolate) alone. Supplements were administered orally in identical tablet form.

Results & Efficacy

The combination group exhibited a statistically significant greater reduction in mean PSS-10 scores compared to the magnesium-only group: -13.3 points (24.6% reduction) versus -6.1 points (11.3% reduction), respectively (p<0.001). The mean difference between groups was -7.2 points (95% CI: -9.1 to -5.3; p<0.001). By week 8, 65.3% of the combination group achieved PSS-10 scores within the "normal stress" range, compared to only 27.7% in the magnesium-only group (p<0.001). No significant changes in serum magnesium levels were observed in either group, suggesting effects were not mediated by correcting magnesemia.

Limitations

Key limitations include the single-blind design (potential participant bias), the absence of a true placebo group (only active control), and the exclusive focus on individuals with low baseline magnesemia, limiting generalizability to the broader population. The 8-week duration was relatively short for assessing long-term stress outcomes. The mechanism for the observed synergy (e.g., whether B6 enhanced magnesium's cellular uptake or had independent effects) was not investigated. Reliance solely on the PSS-10, while validated, captures only perceived stress.

Clinical Relevance

This study suggests that for healthy adults experiencing significant stress and confirmed to have low blood magnesium levels, supplementing with a combination of magnesium (300 mg) and high-dose vitamin B6 (30 mg) may provide substantially greater stress reduction than magnesium alone. The 30 mg B6 dose exceeds typical dietary intake and many standard supplements. Crucially, benefits were specific to this low-magnesemia subgroup; results do not support this combination for stress reduction in individuals with normal magnesium status. Users should confirm low magnesium levels via blood test before considering this specific high-B6 regimen.