Are vitamin B12 and folate good for depression?

Are vitamin B12 and folate good for depression?

Did you know that one in six women will suffer from depression at some point in their lives? Currently, one in 14 Australian women suffers from depression. You might find this number shocking, but maybe not? Maybe you know someone with depression or have the symptoms yourself?

People have described depression as “a thick fog” or “being stuck in the depths of an ocean.” Having experienced depression myself, I associate it with feeling like a deflated balloon: too tired and limp to face life and its many obstacles.

There are many different causes of depression, including experiencing a life crisis, major stressors, life transitions, or childhood trauma.

Then there are biological causes, which I would like to shed light on in this article.

Numerous studies have found a direct connection between depression and low folate and vitamin B12 levels.

For example, studies in the populations of Hong Kong and Taiwan have shown that people who follow a traditional Chinese diet containing folic acid suffer from depression. However, they have lower lifetime rates of major depression.

It has also been found that people respond better to antidepressants when their folate levels are within the normal range.

Folate and B12 are essential for children and women of all ages, especially pregnant women. One study showed that pregnant women with slightly low vitamin B12 levels were 3.82 times more likely to develop depression.

There is no doubt that vitamin B12 and folic acid are good for treating depression.

So how can you naturally increase your B12 and folate levels to relieve symptoms of depression?

Depending on your dietary preferences, try incorporating more of the following foods into your diet:

• Beef, liver and chicken

• Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna and mussels

• Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese

• Eggs

• Legumes, including beans, peas and lentils

• asparagus

• Leafy greens

• Beets

• Citrus fruits

• Brussels sprouts

• broccoli

• Nuts and seeds

• Beef liver

• papaya

• banana

• avocado

• Fortified grains

Alternatively, your doctor may also recommend that you take a vitamin B12 or folate supplement. So if you're ready to overcome the symptoms of depression and regain a sense of fun, ease, and freedom, make an appointment with your doctor today.

Depression can be treated, and the best place to start is by checking your folic acid and vitamin B12 levels.

Inspired by Laurinda Jones