When you suffer from depression, you might feel like the world is closing in on you. While a number of treatments are thought to help depression, including medication and psychotherapy, researchers are increasingly interested in the role of nutritional deficiencies and, consequently, nutritional supplements, on depression. Niacin supplementation might have a beneficial effect on depression. Consult your doctor before using nutritional supplements.
About Niacin
Niacin, also known as nicotinic acid or vitamin B-3, is a member of the B complex family of vitamins. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, niacin has two other forms, known as niacinamide or nicotinamide, and inositol hexanicotinate. Niacin is crucial for a number of important biological functions, including the manufacture of certain stress and sex hormones and helping to maintain proper nervous system functioning. Niacin is naturally present in foods such as brewer's yeast, beef liver, fish, salmon and peanuts, and also is added to fortified foods such as breakfast cereals and bread. A mild niacin deficiency can result in symptoms of fatigue and depression. Severe niacin deficiencies, resulting in a condition known as pellagra, are extremely unusual in Western countries.
Depression Facts
Depression is one of the most serious mental health problems in the world. The World Health Organization Reports that depression affects approximately 121 million people worldwide and is one of the most prominent causes of disability. Although there are several types of depression, they all share symptoms such as lowered mood, decreased sex drive, irritability, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, sleep problems, appetite changes and, for some people, suicidal thoughts or gestures. While the causes of depression are not entirely understood, biological, social and psychological factors are believed to play a role. Depression is usually treated with medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes. Certain nutritional supplements, like niacin, also are thought to provide benefits.
Benefits
There is limited clinical evidence to support the claim that a niacin supplement can improve symptoms of depression. According to Dr. Benjamin Caballero in his book "Guide to Nutritional Supplements," niacin deficiency can exacerbate mood disorders such as depression, but clinical studies attempting to treat depression with niacin and tryptophan have had limited success. Tryptophan is an amino acid your body uses to make niacin, which is subsequently used to produce the brain neurotransmitter serotonin. A serotonin deficiency is thought to play a role in depression. Although clinical studies are limited, Dr. Abram Hoffer presents a case report of Bill Wilson, the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, on DoctorYourself.com, a website about self-healing methods. Wilson, who was suffering from depression and fatigue, treated his depression by taking 3 g of niacin daily. After a few weeks, the symptoms of depression and fatigue disappeared; however, clinical studies are needed to validate the effects of niacin therapy on depression.
Considerations
Although the clinical evidence is extremely limited, niacin might have some benefit on depression, but you should not use niacin as a replacement for your doctor's advice. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, niacin can cause side effects with certain medications and high doses of niacin can cause unpleasant side effects. As with any nutritional supplement, inform your doctor if you plan to use niacin.
