Folic acid, also known as folate or vitamin B-9, is a water-soluble B vitamin, meaning that the body will not store it. Therefore sources must come from the diet or from supplements. Research demonstrates a positive relationship between folic acid and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, in the treatment of depression. If you currently take SSRIs, seek medical clearance before you supplement folic acid.
Depression
Three main types of depression exist, categorized by severity. Major depression is characterized by fatigue, irritability, significant weight changes and suicidal thoughts. Atypical depression symptoms include overeating and sleeping too much. Dysthymia is a mild yet chronic form of depression that often lasts for years. SSRIs reconfigure the balance of brain chemistry to boost mood.
Research
In some patients, depression is resistant to SSRI treatment. Folic acid supplementation demonstrates the ability to augment the patient response rate, according to research documented in 2009 in “Psychology Today.” Researchers from the West Park Hospital in the U.K. recruited 127 depressed patients who were not responding to fluoxetine. The subjects received 500 mg of folic acid in addition to 20 mg of fluoxetine; 93.9 percent of these subjects recorded significant improvement in their response to their SSRI medication.
Role
Folic acid is an integral component of normal brain function as well as psychological and emotional health, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It works in concert with vitamin B-12 and vitamin B-6 to regulate levels of homocysteine, an amino acid. High amounts of homocysteine in the blood have been linked to depression, and low levels of folic acid often correlate to more severe depressive symptoms.
Sources
Many foods contain folic acid. Dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard and mustard greens all provide good sources, Other dietary sources include salmon, milk, beef liver, asparagus, beets, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, soybeans, Brussels sprouts, and root vegetables such as turnips and carrots. Various beans are also good sources of folic acid, including kidney beans, mung beans, lima beans and white beans. In the United States, commercial cereals and grain products are also fortified with folic acid, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid); Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D.; May 2009
- "Psychology Today"; Natural Help for Antidepressants; Hara Estroff Marano; April 2009
- MayoClinic.com; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs); December 2010
- PubMed Health; Depression; Fred K. Berger, M.D., et al.; March 2011.
- "Journal of Affective Disorders"; Enhancement of the Antidepressant Action of Fluoxetine by Folic Acid: A Randomised, Placebo Controlled Trial; A. Coppen, et al.; November 2000
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