August 16, 2010
- This article lists three vitamins: vitamin D, folate, and vitamin A. All are important for brain function and you could be depressed if you are low. Vitamin A deficiencies are fairly uncommon in the West. Vitamins D and folate are the better picks on this list.

August 16, 2010
- Here is a list of B12 deficiency symptoms, including depression and fatigue. Your doctor can test you fairly easily for a B-12 deficiency.

August 16, 2010
- This is a nice list of natural depression treatments. “Laugh out loud” is a much-forgotten one. We recommend Johnny Carson DVDs, but apparently we are old. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-august-16-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-july-23-2010/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-july-23-2010/#comments Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:52:15 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-july-23-2010/

July 23, 2010
- Vitamin D deficiency is more common in older adults, particularly in northern latitudes. Get your D levels checked!

July 23, 2010
- This study examines the folic acid – depression link. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-july-23-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-25-2010/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-25-2010/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:38:34 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-25-2010/

June 25, 2010
- This is a study of patients with heart disease on vitamin D. When they withdrew the vitamin D treatment, participants tended to develop depression. This is more evidence on the vitamin D – depression link. Get your vitamin D levels tested. Get some sun now while the weather is good. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-25-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/natural-vitamins-depression/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/natural-vitamins-depression/#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:45:04 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/?p=47 There is nothing more natural for depression than actual food. Food contains vitamins, minerals, and fats that your brain needs to be healthy. Yes, there are natural vitamins for depression if your depression is aggravated by nutrient deficiencies.

Amanda Rose, Ph.D., discusses food nutrients and depression in the YouTube video below and lists .foods for depression in the book, Rebuild from Depression. (See the right hand navigation for details about the Rebuild book.)

In terms of vitamins, watch your Bs and D. The B complex vitamins are all implicated in depression as is vitamin D. Your doctor can order a plasma homocysteine blood test for you, an indirect measure of your B vitamin status. If you are low, you should definitely begin a supplementation regimen. We will also be posting vitamin D testing resources here shortly (which are easiest to obtain over the Internet rather than from your doctor).

If you are low in B12, folate, or B6, take a highly absorbed form of the vitamin like that we display at right. You will feel much better more quickly with these coenzyme forms of the vitamin. You may even be surprised at the energy you have. Do not take B vitamins too late in the day — they will interfere with your sleep. We don’t take them after about 1 pm, but your schedule will depend on your bedtime. (We are early to bed.)

Read more:

B vitamins and depression at the Rebuild blog
Vitamin D for depression at the Rebuild blog
Omega 3 and depression at the Rebuild blog

June 19, 2010
- This important study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher intakes of vitamin B-6 and B-12 were associated with a lower risk of depression in older adults. There really is no time like the present to improve your B vitamin status. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-19-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-19-2010/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-19-2010/#comments Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:14:12 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-19-2010/

June 19, 2010
- This study of B vitamins in seniors has been making the rounds on blogs. It is important to check your B vitamin status.

June 19, 2010
- This post gives some body signs to determine vitamin deficiencies.

June 19, 2010
- Definitely look into pyroluria if any of these symptoms sound familiar. This could be an important part of your case. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-19-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/vitamin-deficiency-depression/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/vitamin-deficiency-depression/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:33:40 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/?p=19 Vitamin D deficiency and depression? Dr. Marc Sorenson, Ed.D. discusses the vitamin D – depression link in this short YouTube video. He provides the statistic that if you are deficient in vitamin D you have an increased risk of depression of 1200% — you are twelve times more likely to be depressed than you would be if your levels of vitamin D were normal.

If you are in northern climates, vitamin D may play a key role in your depression. Winter days are much shorter. If you did not get adequate sunshine in the winter, you may have to play catch-up with high doses of vitamin D.

In a 2002 study researchers found that older people with depression were also likely to be low in vitamin B12. Some were low in folate as well. There have been clinical trials in which researchers give some participants a B12 supplement (or folic acid in some studies) and others a placebo. The group receiving the B12 has improved mood. You may very well have the same experience.

One thing to keep in mind is that a B complex is not a drug, it is a tool to improve your own B vitamin status. It may give you a bit of an energy boost, but it is not likely to improve your depression if you have been consuming high B vitamin foods (notably meats and whole grains).

Should you take a B complex vitamin? B vitamins are water soluble and you are unlikely to reach toxic levels, particularly taking the recommended dose on the bottle. There have been instances where people have taken very high doses for years and they end up with adverse effects. That is not the case here which is to say, it doesn’t hurt to give the B complex a trial run and see how you feel.

Advice:

• Take a highly absorbed B complex vitamin like the coenzyme form you see here. Not all B complex vitamins are equal. The highly absorbed form below will give you the best sense of whether this tool will work for you.
• Take them early in the day or they can interfere with your sleep.

June 8, 2010
- This article makes the strong (and correct) point that sunlight on our skin is the best source of vitamin D, but does offer a food list nonetheless.

June 8, 2010
- A link to a video on vitamins and depression, particularly B vitamins. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-8-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-7-2010/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-7-2010/#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:19:17 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-7-2010/

June 5, 2010
- Dr. Joan Matthews Larson is, indeed, a gem. Buy her book “Depression-free naturally.”

June 5, 2010
- Check out this article at Suite 101. We note that it is extremely important to watch your vitamin B12 levels as you age. Your need increases. It is more difficult to get vitamin D from the sun as you age. Watch that one too.

June 5, 2010
- Good Top Five list from Dr Mercola — diet, exercise, stress-reduction. We all know we need to do those things. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-7-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-5-2010/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-5-2010/#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 15:40:11 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-5-2010/

June 5, 2010
- We have many reasons to pay attention to our vitamin D levels. There are studies coming out all the time on this issue. When you have the chance to get some sun on your skin, do it.

June 5, 2010
- Take your B6 and B12 — having healthy levels of these vitamins may prevent depression. It’s all about maintaining a good balance in your body. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-researchers-say-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-5-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/multiple-vitamin-day-depression/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/multiple-vitamin-day-depression/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:21:03 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/?p=42 Would taking a multiple vitamin once a day help depression?

Researchers have actually studied this question. The gathered participants for a depression trial and randomly placed them into four groups: (1) a multi-vitamin group (2) a B-vitamin group and (3) a placebo group and (4) no treatment. The multi-vitamin group obviously took multi-vitamins and the B vitamin group took B vitamins. The placebo group took a pill that looked like the others but contained a substance that should have no impact.

What they found was interesting: Anyone taking a pill had a slight improvement and the authors attribute the improvement to a placebo effect. Participants improved because they thought they were taking something that would help their depression.

The study suggests that a multi-vitamin does not matter and that a B vitamin does not matter.

But wait, there is research that suggests B vitamins help depression. How can this be?

The issue missing in this study is that not all of us need more B vitamins. If a low B vitamin status is implicated in our depression, taking B vitamins may very well help. If we have enough B vitamins already, why would more make a difference? What is missing in the study is a determination of the participants’ need for B vitamins.

Back to the multi-vitamin. Multi-vitamins are designed as insurance to give you a bit of nutrition each day to avoid a deficiency. If you have a deficiency in a specific vitamin, the multi-vitamin dosage is probably not sufficient for your need. In that case, you are not meeting your need with a multi-vitamin.

Regardless, we recommend a multi-vitamin as a maintenance program but we suggest drilling down into some specific nutrients if you continue to suffer with depression. The book Rebuild from Depression will help you do that. The liquid multi at right by Vital Earth is our top pick in multi-vitamins. Liquid vitamins are better absorbed; this particular liquid vitamin is the best we have tasted. It is sweetened with xylitol.

June 2, 2010
- Foods fight depression. Read more at Suite 101.

June 2, 2010
- Now is the time to soak up the sun and increase your vitamin D levels. This article is on vitamin D, depression, and sunshine. ]]> http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/what-bloggers-are-saying-about-vitamins-for-depression-june-2-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/vitamin-d-and-depression/ http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/vitamin-d-and-depression/#comments Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:27:58 +0000 Admin http://www.vitaminsfordepression.net/?p=18 Vitamin D and depression may be linked. If you are low in vitamin D, it may be aggravating your depression. As summer begins in the northern hemisphere, there is no time like the present to improve your vitamin D status. We could link to a vitamin D supplement (in fact, we will if you are venturing through here in the winter by chance), but your very best bet for improving vitamin D right now is to take your bare arms and legs out into the sun and get some daylight on them.

Sunshine is your best tool in building up your vitamin D levels. A good dose for about thirty minutes at the peak of the day from spring through fall will raise your levels enough that you may make it through winter without needing a supplement. People in northern latitudes may need to supplement regardless.

Amanda Rose, Ph.D., author of Rebuild from Depression: A Nutrient Guide discusses the vitamin D-depression link in the video below at YouTube.

Larson’s book is available at Amazon and is a great addition to any library on the depression-nutrition link.

Do read the book because, as you will note in the video, she uses a range of high doses of niacin for different conditions. The amount of niacin in a multi-vitamin or even in a B complex vitamin does not reach the dose she recommends to her patients.

A 2002 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry examined the blood levels key vitamins in 694 elderly people, 278 of whom were suffering from symptoms of depression. They examined the levels of vitamin B12 and folate. They also included their plasma homocysteine levels, an indirect measure of a B vitamin deficiency.

Indeed, elderly people with depression also tended to be low in vitamin B12. The authors state:

Hyperhomocysteinemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, and to a lesser extent, folate deficiency were all related to depressive disorders. For folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia, the association with depressive disorders was substantially reduced after adjustment for functional disability and cardiovascular disease, but for vitamin B12 this appeared independent.

Notice this study included an older population because as we age we are actually less able to absorb vitamin B12 in their food. Other demographic groups are also at risk of a B12 deficiency if they do not tend to eat high vitamin B12 foods, notably meats. Strict vegetarians and perhaps children of strict vegetarian mothers are most at risk of suffering from B12-related depression.

What can you do?

Ask your doctor for a plasma homocysteine test. If the results are elevated (which is bad), get a B12 blood test. The plasma homocysteine is more standard and would be a better place to start. If you are low in B12 (or even borderline), begin a B12 supplement.

You can also consider a trial run of B12 to see how you feel, but if you have a serious deficiency, you should be tracking your blood levels with your doctor.

There are a lot of B12 supplements on the market and you want one that will be best absorbed. You can choose a patch or perhaps a sublingual (under-the-tongue) form. You can pick one up at a local health food store or buy one conveniently over the Internet.

photo credit: Neeta Lind

A lawsuit this spring alleges that several widely distributed fish oils contain more than the legal amount of PCBs, an environmental toxin. Farmed fish can actually be high in PCBs. When those fish are harvested and turned into oil, we take a concentrated does of Omega 3 fatty acids and PCBs.

That's a bad deal for anybody but particularly people hoping that the fish oil will alleviate depression, heart disease, diabetes, or any other number of illnesses which fish oil may impact.

The lawsuit was based on independent lab tests of some commonly found fish oils. Quite a number of companies have been selling fish oil with more than the legal limit of toxins. The good news is that some products were found to be clean. Nordic naturals is a good case in point — it has a high EPA line which can be good for depression.

This lawsuit makes me pleased that Ascenta who makes NutraSea (my fish oil pick) actually allows the customer to look up the lab report for the particular batch of fish oil they purchased. You simply go to their website, put in the lot number, and check out the detailed report. Ascenta is in Canada and does not have wide distribution yet in the U.S., but it is sold on Amazon. The flavor is the best we have found.

More reading

Omega 3 for depression: The food and supplements you need

Omega 3 and B vitamins for depression: Start Today

Vitamins for depression at YouTube

Omega 3 for depression: How much for how long?

Amanda Rose, author of Rebuild from Depression, discusses briefly the pregnancy and postpartum cases.

Watch a short intro in the video below on depression and vitamins.

There are vitamins for depression. Many of us who struggle with depression do so at least in part because our brains do not have the required mix of vitamins, minerals, and fats. A healthy brain is a brain nourished with beneficial fats, minerals, and vitamins — vitamins for depression.

As one example, perhaps you have heard that some depression medications are designed to maintain a high level of the feel-good hormone serotonin in our brains. This medication works in people who do not have high enough levels of brain serotonin. Foods contain the precursors to serotonin. Your body uses the protein tryptophan combined with vitamin B-6 (one of the key vitamins for depression) to make serotonin. With the right mix of proteins and vitamins, a healthy body makes plenty of serotonin all by itself. Vitamins for depression play a key role.

Vitamins for Depression Research

There is a growing field of scientific research on vitamins for depression discussed in Rebuild from Depression: A Nutrient Guide. Authors Amanda Rose, Ph.D., and Annell Adams M.D. examine the research on vitamins for depression. They identify the vitamins, minerals, and fats most commonly associated with depression. From those nutrients, they examine the massive food database maintained by the USDA and found fifty “depression buster foods” – the food for depression highest in depression-fighting nutrients. These foods, indeed, contain vitamins for depression.

This is the first sort of analysis of food and depression of its kind. There are many “lists” out there, some lists of foods that fight depression, but this is the first list based on a systematic analysis of over 5,000 foods.

As an example, here is a list of the top 10 foods commonly available at any grocery store which contain vitamins for depression (there are many others on the list, some of which are obscure):

• Clam
• Oyster
• Flax
• Herring
• Trout
• Brewer’s yeast
• Sardines
• Crab
• Walnuts
• Salmon

But a food list is not all you need.

A key question for you is this: What minerals and vitamins for depression are you deficient in?

Vitamins for Depression: What is your body telling you?

If you are to discover the best vitamins for depression for you, you need to know what vitamins for depression you are deficient in. There are body signs of nutrient deficiencies. For instance, your muscle cramps might be caused by a magnesium deficiency or your stretch marks by a zinc deficiency. There are also clinical tests your doctor can perform to check your nutrient levels.

B-Vitamin for Depression Example

We know now that your body converts tryptophan into serotonin with the help of vitamin B-6. How do you know if you are deficient in this vitamin for depression? As it turns out, people who are deficient in B-6 often are not about to recall their dreams when they wake up in the morning. They may think that they do not dream at all. Do you not dream? That is not likely. What is likely is that you are deficient in one of the B vitamins for depression — vitamin B-6.

Buy the Rebuild book. Get started today on vitamins for depression.

Check out the depression book at Amazon.

Better yet, buy the book here directly from the author to learn more about vitamins for depression. These are the benefits of your direct purchase:

• Free shipping

• Immediate download of digital book “Health structures for a long life,” originally part of the Rebuild manuscript.
• A digital cookbook based on the Rebuild book will be delivered to you digitally in about one week. This book highlights five foods loaded with vitamins for depression.
• We never sell, share, or otherwise give away your email address.
  

  Start today. Begin rebuilding your brain with vitamins for depression.

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