What it is: Folate and folic acid are forms of a B vitamin.
Sources: green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli, asparagus, fruits, such as bananas, legumes, yeast, cereals, mushrooms, organ meat, orange juice and tomato juice. It is also available as a vitamin supplement.
Folic acid deficiency has been noted among people with depression. Folic acid deficiency has also been linked to a poor response to antidepressant medication. Although folate supplements may be suggested by alternative practitioners for people with depression, it should not replace conventional treatment.
What it is: Vitamin B12 is type of B vitamin.
Sources: fish, eggs, meat, poultry and milk and milk productes. It is also available as a vitamin supplement.
There is some evidence that people with depression respond better to treatment if they have higher levels of vitamin B12. It's possible that vitamin B12 is needed to manufacture substances called monoamines. Another theory is that vitamin B12 deficiency results in the buildup of the amino acid homocysteine, which may enhance depression.
Sources: Fava M, Borus JS, Alpert JE, Nierenberg AA, Rosenbaum JF, Bottiglieri T.
Folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine in major depressive disorder.
Am J Psychiatry. 1997 Mar;154(3):426-8. Morris MS, Fava M, Jacques PF, Selhub J, Rosenberg IH. Depression and folate status in the US Population. Psychother Psychosom. 2003 Mar-Apr;72(2):59-60.
Published 06/23/04
