"In our study, participants with a dietary folate intake in the lowest 'intake level] had a 67% greater risk of having elevated depressive symptoms than those in the highest 'intake levels.] ...Low blood levels of folate were 'also] associated with a poor response to treatment with antidepressants. Analysis supported the existence of an independent relationship between dietary folate intake and current depression ... 'Low] dietary intake of folate has been strongly associated with 'high] levels of homocysteine* in the blood. Low levels of riboflavin may also lead to the accumulation of homocysteine in people who have low folate levels."

The study was done of middle-aged men in Finland.

*Homocysteine has been associated with heart disease. Reducing it by consuming folate would be an added benefit.

DETAILS: Folate and riboflavin are B vitamins and can be obtained in multiple vitamin tablets. 400mg is the recommended dose of folate (folic acid) and most combinations contain 25mg. of riboflavin which is far more than recommended, though not toxic. Generous servings of green leafy vegetables (except lettuce) also provide folate.

Source of "Is Depression Due to a Vitamin Deficiency?"

In: Journal of Nutrition, vol. 133, 2003. By: Tolmunen, Hintikka, Salonen, et al., Dept. of Psychiatry, U. of Kuopio, Finland, Dept. of Public Health & Gen. Practice, U. of Kuopio, School of Public Health, U. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, Inner Savo Health Centre, Suonenjoki, Finland.