Studies have shown that many people who suffer from depression can benefit from treatment with vitamins. One study of 101 depressed patients showed that 21% had vitamin B6 (pyridoxine deficiency). Treatment of B6 delivered intravenously significantly reduced symptoms of depression in patients. It is still not clear whether vitamin B6 is one of the causes of depression, or one of the symptoms, but it seems that taking vitamin supplements help fight depression.
Another cause of can be vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which facilitates the production of serotonin. In the study, one group of depressed people were given vitamin C, while the other was not. In the first group, not only paranoid, manic symptoms improved, but the overall improvement in mood. In addition to vitamins B6 and C, folate and vitamin B12 can be used in the treatment and prevention of depression. B12 in particular has shown to relieve post-partum depression in studies of new mothers.
Like vitamins, minerals such as magnesium are essential for many body functions like that. Magnesium deficiency causes poor attention, restlessness, and , among others. Many depressed patients (nearly three-quarters), tested at a low level of magnesium in various studies. As in the case of vitamin B and ascorbic acid, the symptoms of depression is alleviated when magnesium is given.
It is still unclear how directly taking supplements of these vitamins and minerals affect the symptoms of depression. What is clear is that a daily supplement or multivitamin may help in maintaining optimal health and prevent a range of diseases, including depression.
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