Folic Acid Deficiency Linked to Depression
There is now increasing evidence that supplementation with therapeutic amounts of folate (folic acid) can significantly improve the condition of depressed patients. Many drugsm some chronic diseases such as rheumatiod arthritis, certain cancer treatments, alcoholism, and a poor diet can all lead to a folate deficiency and the potential for depression. It was reported in the May issue of Nutrition Reviews that in a recent trial involving 20 elderly patients with depressive disorders, treatment with nethylfolate was associated with 81% resposnse rate within six weeks. Folate supplementation has also been found to markedly improve the effect of treatment with standard of depressions.
