- Scientific Study: Vitamin B is particularly important in combating depressions
- There are differences between different age groups
- Help with depression: Here you can find out everything about the results of the investigation
Depression is now a widespread disease in Germany. More and more people get sick from it. But with vitamin B you can counteract the disease. B vitamins in particular are indispensable for the organism and can help with depression be. This has been proven by a number of studies, including the Investigation of vitamin B at “Victoria University” in Melbourne, Australia”. In this study, a direct effect of too few vitamins and the resulting risk of suffering from serious mental illnesses could be demonstrated. Accordingly, there is a connection between a vitamin deficiency and depression.
Help with depression: counteract the disease with vitamin B
B vitamins are required for the proper function and production of human cells, the so-called “methylation cycle” and the repair and maintenance of the body’s cellular components. Thus, cell regeneration, for which vitamins (especially vitamin B) are responsible, plays a crucial role in inhibiting neurotransmitters. If this is not working, i.e. there is a dysfunction of monoamine oxidase, it can be responsible for a number of psychiatric and neurological disorders – including depression.
Depression is now the fourth most common illness worldwide. Australian researchers predict that depression will be the second leading cause of death and disability in the next 20 years.
Depression usually manifests itself in multiple symptoms. These include, for example:
- the inability to function efficiently at work and at home
- feeling overwhelmed
- to feel miserable
- a sense of worthlessness
- physical manifestations such as insomnia, fatigue, headache and muscle pain
Vitamin B12: role not yet fully clarified
A first hint for a possible interaction: a clinical study. 110 patients with major depression were examined for fluoxetine in connection with folic acid and vitamin B12 as part of an eight-week therapy.
The result left little room for interpretation. The researchers found that patients with depression had lower levels of folate than patients with other psychiatric disorders. A low folate concentration is therefore associated with a weaker mode of action of antidepressants.
However, the researchers caution that the role of B vitamins in mental health and in other health areas not yet clearly clarified is. “So far, there is little evidence on the role of vitamin B12 in depression. Vitamin B12 has been shown to be associated with depression, with higher levels of vitamin B12 leading to better treatment outcomes,” said Seren Haf Roberts in a study published published in the Oxford Academy.
Fighting depression with vitamin B: fact check
It goes on to say, “Higher dietary intakes of folate, but not other B vitamins, have been shown to be associated with lower rates of depressive symptoms in men.” In addition, according to the researchers, low folate status and low vitamin B12 absorption have an impact on depressive symptoms in women. Severe vitamin B12 deficiency increases the risk of major depression in older women. The researchers therefore suspect that the older population in particular could benefit from an increased intake of vitamin B, since they were increasingly able to identify disorders that reduce folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 intake.
Similar thoughts on this are also described Specialist in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, Dr. Daniel Hall Flavin. “Older adults, vegetarians, and people with digestive disorders like celiac disease or Crohn’s disease may struggle to get enough B12,” he explains.
For one Vitamin B Deficiency different factors are therefore responsible. “Sometimes vitamin B12 deficiency occurs for unknown reasons. If a deficiency is suspected, your doctor may order a blood test to check levels of B12 or other vitamins.”
Conclusion: Convincing evidence for the protective effect of B vitamins as an aid to depression
The research team led by Seren Haf Roberts concludes: “The study provides convincing evidence for the protective effect of dietary intake and supplementation of vitamin B12 against depression. It also shows that the intake of vitamin B6 through dietary supplements, but not through diet, also has this effect can have a protective effect.” Meanwhile, Daniel Hall-Flavin warns: “Despite all the euphoria, one should keep in mind that further research is required. Furthermore, no dietary supplement can replace proven depression treatments such as antidepressants and psychological counseling.”
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So that means: For older people in particular, it can make sense to take food supplements and help with depression be. The researchers were able to identify the greatest deficits in this population group. In younger people, on the other hand, the mode of action has not yet been proven beyond doubt.
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