Wednesday June 18, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A report released in 2014 in Duodecim suggests that depression has something to do with patients' diets.  Particularly, low intake of vitamin B12 or folate or omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D may be associated with elevated risk of depression.

The report says that vitamin B12 and folate may also be used to treat depression while the importance of fatty acids remains unclear.

Generally, according to the report, a healthy diet rich in vitamin B12, vitamin D or folate and fish oils may ease the condition of depression.

The association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of depression has been well explored.  Depressive patients should consider taking vitamin D supplements to make sure they have enough of it not only for reducing depressive symptoms, but also for many other health benefits.  For adults, vitamin D experts suggest 5000 IU of vitamin D is needed.

Too much synthetic folate should be a concern as studies have associated fortified folate, which is synthetic, with increased risk of breast cancer among other things.  But the natural folate or folic acid found in plant-based foods does not impose any risk. (David Liu, PHD)

Seppälä J, Kauppinen A, Kautiainen H, Vanhala M, Koponen H.  [Depression and diet ] [Article in Finnish]  Duodecim. 2014;130(9):902-9.