Could popping a vitamin help chase the blues away?
Yes, say researchers at the University of York England. Adults with low level of the B vitamin folate in their blood, according to a new study are 40% more likely to suffer from depression than those with normal stores of the nutrient.
The reason : "Folate helps produce feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin", says lead study author Simon Gilbody, M.D. "We've found that dome depressed people are genetically less able to convert the folate i0n produce into a form the body can use. That lowers their serotonin levels, setting them up for depression."
While many cereals, breads and pastas are fortified with folic acid (the label notes the percentage of the recommended 400 micrograms per day that the food food contains), a supplement is more easily absorbed by the body.
If depression runs in your family or you've been diagnosed with it, Gilbody suggests talking to your doctor about whether a supplement is right for you.
1 comment:
My experience and my wife's (post-childbirth) definitely agree with these conclusions on the usefulness of folate... Here is further info of folic acids i've found, any link back to the entire study that's quoted?
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