Vitamins for depression...which ones are effective?

Many people believe that taking vitamins for depression is important as most of the nutritional content of food available today is not what it appears to be.

The state of food

Soil-depletion, pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives, mercury, bleaching, fungus, bacterial contamination, parasites, high sugar content, hormones, antibiotics, gassing, lengthy transportation periods, refrigeration, thawing, re-packaging, bottling, canning, freeze-drying, pre-cooking, micro-waving and reheating tend to denature nutritional content.

Looks can be deceiving. How can you know how much food value that color-intense fruit or vegetable in the supermarket has? It’s impossible to know.

Why are vitamins so important?

It is a fact that we can’t live without them. Think of a Vitamin C deficiency disease such as scurvy as a vivid, although extreme, example. Because of its complicated nature, the results of taking vitamins for depression are more difficult to determine and quantify.

The subject is very complex, but here are just a few important vitamin functions:

Vitamin A: Helps to prevent the abnormal growth of cells, supports heart and immune-system functions and maintains eye health.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): Essential for communication of signals between the spinal cord and the brain.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Helps with athletic performance, in preventing cataracts, in processing carbohydrates and amino acids.
Vitamin B3 (niacin): Essential for healthy skin, enzyme function, manufacture of fats and hormones and cholesterol lowering.
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid): Essential for transporting energy and fat metabolism.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): Helps the heart by preventing platelets from causing blood clots; helps with blood pressure regulation.
Vitamin B9 (folic Acid): Helps to regulate developing the health of unborn babies, preventing premature births and low birth weight.
Vitamin B12: Prevents pernicious anemia, boosts energy and concentration.
Vitamin C: synthesis of collagen, cholesterol; brain function and energy production.
Vitamin D: hormone, calcium and cholesterol production.
Vitamin E: Blood clotting prevention, inflammation and plaque reduction.
Vitamin K: Helps to regulate the clotting of blood and calcium levels, maintains bone and teeth health.

Vitamins act as powerful and essential antioxidants helping to repair damaged cells.

Should you be taking vitamins for depression?

In general, I believe that any vitamin deficiency will, in some way, affect your moods. However, some vitamins get more of the scientific spotlight than others.

A recent study done at the Neuropsychiatric Research Lab, Epsom, UK (J. Psychopharmacology, 2005 Jan;19(1):59-65, Coppen A, Bolander-Gouaille C.) says that “both low folate (B9) and low Vitamin B12 status have been found in studies of depressive patients and an association between depression and low levels of the two vitamins is found in the general population.”

Depression is complex and taking vitamins for depression may help. Although there appears to be a connection, you should, however, discuss any treatment with your doctor first.

Vitamin pills or vitamin liquids? – the controversy continues

If you are taking vitamins for depression, you might be concerned about this issue.

There are claims circulating suggesting that a high percentage of vitamin pills are not being absorbed by the body due to their composition. Fillers and coatings are necessary for binding to make the pills. As a result, it is alleged, the pills are able to travel passed the stomach acid, and down through the lengthy intestinal tract, emerging without being digested and absorbed.

Although I’m not totally dismissing this theory, I do find it difficult to believe. Take a vitamin pill and place it in a glass of water and see how long it takes to dissolve, or at least go mushy.

The unsubstantiated allegations seem to be coming from some distributors of liquid vitamins in order to boost sales of their products.

Common questions about vitamin supplements:

• How many vitamins types should I take?
My opinion: I try to take all of them in one shot. Like an insurance policy, it is probably best to be over-insured than under-insured.

• What combination is best?
My opinion: A reputable company will have qualified nutritionists on staff to determine the optimal combination in the product.

• Can I take too many?
My opinion: Probably, but not if you read and follow the recommended consumption recommendations.

• Should it be pills or liquid?
My opinion: this is a personal choice.

• How would I know if I had a vitamin deficiency?
My opinion: If you have any doubt, see your doctor.

• Which vitamins are more important than others?
My opinion: I don’t know, therefore I take as much variety as possible.

Do I take vitamins for depression?

Just like the body-mind connection, I believe that vitamins do not stand alone and that they function as an intricate part of the system. I try to get my vitamins naturally by eating wholesome food and then I take a nutritional supplement to compensate for any nutritional deficiencies.

The vitamin supplement I take every day is in powder form which I mix with water. It is a combination of fats, protein, minerals, amino acids and all the vitamins.

Vitamins and minerals regulate the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. By combining all of these together, the level of vitamin absorption is greatly increased.
The vitamins are being activated right from the start in a near-natural environment.

Does it work?

I have no undeniable proof that taking vitamins for depression really works.

I do believe, however, that healthy brain chemistry is enhanced and supported through the presence of adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins. So, it could be, for some people, that this approach is a way of treating depression naturally.

I find that combining vitamin nutritional supplements with other natural remedies for depression, such as regular detoxification and exercise, helps.

You can increase the chances of influencing the mind by strengthening the body first in a natural way.

The body-mind connection; let’s cleanse the body to clear the mind.

Tryptophan: Some people have a tryptophan deficiency.

Coenzyme Q10: Many people have found that taking Coenzyme Q10 is beneficial

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