Maintaining a vitamin-rich diet is important if you have depression or alcoholism, or both. Depression is a type of mood disorder characterized by difficulty sleeping, fatigue, energy loss, agitation, difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness, and restlessness, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Alcoholism is a condition in which you become dependent on alcohol. Symptoms include an inability to limit the quantity of alcohol you consume, a compulsion to drink, drinking alone and losing interest in other activities. Both of these conditions can be disruptive to your daily functioning Consuming certain vitamins may helpf to relieve or manage symptoms. In addition, some vitamins may aid in correcting nutritional deficiencies.
Vitamin B12
According to MayoClinic.com, low vitamin B12 levels have been associated with depression in some people. Vitamin B12 may play a role in the synthesis of certain brain substances that can regulate mood and normal brain actions. MayoClinic.com says, however, that it is unclear whether vitamin B12 is a cause or effect of depression. It may still be helpful to consume this vitamin in sufficient quantities since it is an essential vitamin for good health. You can obtain vitamin B12 in a supplement or dietary sources. Good food choices include poultry, meat, fish, dairy products and eggs. According to MedlinePlus, alcoholism can also lead to a deficiency in vitamin B12. If you suffer from alcoholism, you will need to restore levels of this vitamin since it maintains a healthy nervous system and produces red blood cells. You can boost your intake by food or a supplement.
Vitamin B6
A vitamin B6 deficiency has been associated with confusion, irritation and depression, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Increasing your intake of this vitamin may help to relieve your depression symptoms. In addition to a supplement form, you can receive vitamin B6 from foods such as fortified breads and cereals, turkey, chicken, salmon, potatoes, spinach and bananas. This vitamin may also be helpful if you have alcoholism. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, alcoholics may be at high risk of a vitamin B6 deficiency. This is the result of insufficient food intake or poor digestion and absorption of this vitamin.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a B vitamin that may play a role in depression. A deficiency in this vitamin has been associated with depression in people, according to MayoClinic.com. You can find this vitamin in supplement form and in foods. Good choices include fortified breads and cereals, leafy green vegetables, fruits, beans, yeast, beef liver and kidney. This vitamin may also be helpful if you have alcoholism. According to MedlinePlus, this vitamin has been used to treat alcoholism since alcoholics may be deficient in it due to inadequate nutritional intake.
