Bioactive Folic Acid & Depression

Depression is a very real, serious mental illness that can have a significant impact on your life. While certain treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy, as well as lifestyle changes such as exercise and following a proper diet, can offer some relief from symptoms of depression, limited research has shown that the bioactive form of folic acid can also provide benefits. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements.

About Bioactive Folic Acid

Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, or vitamin B-9, found in nutritional supplements. Folate plays a role in the manufacturing of DNA and RNA, helps to build new cells and helps with the manufacture of red blood cells. The bioactive form of folic acid is also known as levomefolic acid or metafolin, or 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid. Folic acid is not bioactive on its own. However, once converted in your liver to dihydrofolic acid, it obtains its active properties. It is more easily absorbed by your body, since it doesn't have to undergo the activation process. Some research has found that the bioactive form of folate, or L-methylfolate, can provide antidepressant benefits, especially when combined with certain types of traditional antidepressant medications. You can purchase L-methylfolate in capsule and tablet form.

Causes of Depression

A number of factors are thought to influence the development of depression, although the exact causes aren't yet understood. The Mayo Clinic's website notes that biological factors, such as brain changes or imbalances in important brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, hormones, genetics and life events can all play a role in depression. Additionally, depression may be caused, in part, by a deficiency of folate or a genetic defect that reduces the efficiency of folate formation, according to an article by Dr. Stephen M. Stahl in the October 2007 issue of the peer-reviewed neuropsychiatric journal "CNS Spectrums."

Clinical Research

A clinical review published in the April 9, 2008 issue of "The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" showed that patients suffering from major depression have lower levels of serum and red blood cell folate, which can reduce the effectiveness of treatment with antidepressants. Additionally, the results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study, presented at a scientific report at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in May 2011, showed that supplementation with a proprietary form of bioactive folic acid can significantly improve the outcome of major depression treatment with commonly used antidepressants, known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Considerations

While L-methylfolate may provide certain benefits for patients suffering from depression, you should not attempt to self-treat your symptoms with dietary supplements. Talk to your doctor if you are considering taking a bioactive folate supplement. Depression can become worse if not properly treated.