What Helps Depression?

High B-Vitamin Intake Reduces Risk of Depression in Elderly

Depression is an important metal disorder in the United States and elsewhere, and is particularly common in later life. Depression is also a key risk factor for other negative health outcomes. Therefore, a reduction in the incidence of depression is likely to have a positive health benefit. Risk factors for depression include dietary intake. In particular, a number of cross-sectional studies in different populations have shown an association between B-vitamin intake and depression. Fortitech’s custom nutrient and vitamin premixes – which can incorporate virtually any functional ingredient that can help or improve a variety of conditions – would be an additional dietary conduit for vitamin B.

A recent report by investigators in Chicago has provided important new observations that strengthen the claim that B-vitamin intake can have a salutary effect on the development of depression in elderly people. The investigators examined the relationship between B-vitamin intake (vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12 and folate) in non-depressed elderly subjects and the subsequent risk of developing depression over a 7.5 year follow-up period. Study subjects were participants in the Chicago Health and Aging Project (CHAP), an ongoing longitudinal study of risk factors for incident Alzheimer disease and other age-related chronic conditions in community-dwelling residents 65 years and older. Thirty five hundred and three participants were available for study after initial exclusion criteria, including the absence of depression and valid food frequency questionnaires.

The Chicago investigators found that the total intake (food plus supplements) of either vitamin B-12 or vitamin B-6 was inversely associated with a small, but significant, reduced risk of incident depression. However, there was no association over time between folate intake and depressive symptoms. Each additional 10 mg of vitamin B-6 and 10 µg vitamin B-12 were associated with 2 percent lower odds of development of depressive symptoms per year in this elderly population.

From: KA Skarupski et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2010;92:330-335.

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