Nutritional Deficiencies And Depression

Clinical Depression is most common mental health problem which effects every seventh person on earth once in his lifetime and its prevalence as well as incidence are on rising. Complex interwinding of genetic factors, personality attributes, hormones and psychological stress precipitates disturbance in neurotransmitters (serotonin, nor-epinephrine and dopamine) or neurotransmitters may get disturbed on their own resulting in Depression.

Nutritional deficiencies too may precipitate depression or exacerbate depressive symptoms by complex mechanism as its these nutrients which are needed for synthesis of neurotransmitters and hormones too.

Nutritional deficiencies found in depressed patients could be due three reasons. First, they could be present before the start of depression and would have predisposed person to depression. Second, they could have resulted from poor dietary pattern of depressed patients as depressed patients have poor appetite and often have unhealthy dietary patterns. Thirdly, at times medications may interfere with absorption of some nutrients.

Five nutritional deficiencies are commonly found in depression and treating clinician may have to supplement them after appropriately testing them:

A)     Vitamin D deficiency: Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in India with reports suggesting upto 80% Indians might be suffering from it unfortunately. Role of Vitamin D is well documented in maintaining mood and cognition along with maintaining good musculoskeletal health. Therefore, Vitamin D deficiency not just predisposes to body aches, Fractures but also to Depression and may be a cause of somatic symptoms of depression. Sunlight is most important source of Vitamin D but gradual shift to urban life in congested localities and work schedule in cubicles has exposed us to Vitamin D deficiency several fold. Egg yolk, mushrooms, fatty fish and cheese are good dietary sources of Vitamin D.

B)     Folic Acid or Vitamin B9: Low folate levels are found in upto one fourth of depressed patients. Folate has been shown to improve levels of serotonin metabolite in brain. Folic acid gets converted to L-methyl folate in body which is essential for serotonin synthesis. Folates may be used as an adjunct to improve medication in case anti-depressant have less than expected response. Green leafy vegetables, legumes, asparagus and nuts are good sources of folic acid.

C)     Vitamin B12 or Methyl-cobalamin: Vitamin B12 is important for neurological function, Cardiac wellness and mood. Vitamin B12 is deficient in vegetarian diet and hence needs to be supplemented in vegans. Vitamin B12 deficiency might lead to mood problems, concentration problems & weakness and many times may present as depressive symptoms. Its supplementation to anti-depressants has been found to improve medication effect in case Vitamin B12 is low normal to low. B12 is most abundant in fish, meat, egg and dairy products.

D)     Iron Deficiency: Iron deficiency has been in depression and might well be a cause and exacerbating reason for anxiety, poor concentration, poor appetite and bad taste in these patients. Therefore, iron supplementation/rich diet is likely to help in deficient people as reflected by ferritin. Iron supplementation may particularly benefit pregnant women in preventing mood changes. Green leafy vegetables, dates, pumpkin seeds and lentils are vegetarian sources of iron whereas chicken, liver are good non-vegetarian sources of iron. Iron absorption in body can be improved by adding lemon juice to the food item. That’s because Vitamin C helps in Iron absorption.

Tag: #nutritional deficiency # depression