If you think you are suffering from depression, see your doctor. While you can use vitamins to supplement treatment for sadness and depression, you don't want to rely on self-treatment for a serious illness. Your doctor can talk to you about your symptoms and determine an effective treatment plan for your sadness. If you want to take vitamins as part of your depression treatment, you can discuss doing so with your doctor. She will be able to tell you exactly which vitamins could help in your situation.
Step 1
Add B vitamins to your diet. MayoClinic.com states that low levels of vitamin B, especially vitamin B-12 and folate, could cause you to experience depression symptoms. Increase your intake of B vitamins through your diet by eating more lean meat, fish and eggs. If you're a vegetarian or over 50 years of age, consider taking a B vitamin supplement to raise your body's levels of these beneficial vitamins.
Step 2
Take St. John's Wort capsules. St. John's Wort is an herb that is often taken to treat short-term depression symptoms. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that St. John's Wort is effective in treating mild, but not severe, depression. Side effects of St. John's Wort include stomach upset, headache and fatigue. Before taking St. John's Wort, talk to your physician.
Step 3
Try fish oil supplements. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil can help reduce depression symptoms but is not a treatment for depression, according to MayoClinic.com. Adding more fatty acids to your diet can improve your brain chemistry and combat sadness. If you prefer not to take pills, add more omega-3 acids to your diet by increasing your intake of fish, especially fatty fish such as tuna and salmon.
Step 4
Take iron supplements. A study performed at Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome found that anemia could cause depression symptoms, especially in older adults. Find iron pills at any drugstore or increase your iron intake by adding more meat and dark, leafy greens to your diet.
Step 5
Spend time in the sun. Low levels of vitamin D have been found to lead to depression symptoms, according to an article in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." The easiest way to increase your vitamin D levels is to expose your skin to the sun. You can also find vitamin D supplements at the drugstore or take cod liver oil to increase your vitamin D levels.
