Adding vitamins to one's daily diet can have many positive health benefits, and may have the potential of easing a variety of health complaints. Vitamin deficiencies can sometimes lead to symptoms of depression. For people suffering from depression, correcting these deficiencies by supplementing their diet with certain vitamins may help to reduce their symptoms.
Depression Symptoms
Some symptoms of depression include: feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or indecision; difficulty concentrating; change in appetite or sleep habits; loss of energy, interest, or pleasure; troubled, agitated, slowed, or anti-social behaviors; drug or alcohol abuse; and difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
B-Complex Vitamins and Depression
In particular, the B-complex vitamins play a significant role in regulating the nervous system and controlling mood swings, and are essential to one's mental and emotional well-being. B vitamins help fight depression and anxiety by facilitating the function of neurotransmitters, the brain's natural chemical messengers that regulate mood and emotion.
B-complex vitamins cannot be stored in the body, and are easily destroyed by substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and refined sugars, so it is vital to obtain these essential nutrients from one's daily diet, or vitamin supplementation.
B-Complex Vitamin Family
Vitamins in the B-Complex family include: Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), and Vitamin B12. By adding a variety of these vitamins to one's diet, one can potentially experience significant health benefits, particularly when it comes to easing depression symptoms.
Benefits of B-Complex Vitamins
Each vitamin in the B-Complex family has its own unique way of contributing to the body's health needs, and all provide benefits essential to the body's overall state of well-being.
Vitamin B1
Promotes growth; stimulates brain action; aids in health of the nervous system; prevents fatigue and increases stamina; prevents edema and fluid retention, aids in digestion and metabolism.
Vitamin B2
Processes amino acids and fats. Also activates vitamin B-6 and folic acid.
Vitamin B3
Improves circulation and reduces cholesterol level in the blood; aids in nervous system function; helps maintain healthy skin; helps regulate digestive system. Clinical studies show that low levels of B3 can cause depression, and possibly lead to psychosis and dementia.
Vitamin B5
Helps decrease signs of physical and mental stress; increases vitality; can help reduce likelihood of premature aging.
Vitamin B6
Principle vitamin for processing amino acids. Regulates serotonin in the brain, an imbalance of which can be a cause for depression.
Vitamin B9
Along with Vitamin B12, B9 can help neurotransmitter function, as well as the activity of a natural antidepressant in the body.
Vitamin B12
Maintains a healthy nervous system and assists with blood cell formation. A deficiency of B12 can lead to depression, irritability, mania and confusion.
Daily Supplementation Essential to Ease Depression
As mentioned earlier, vitamins from the B-Complex family are easily destroyed, so they must be continually replenished. Natural food sources are always the best way to obtain vitamins; however, it is not always easy or possible to consume the required amount, so vitamin supplementation in tablet, capsule or powder form would also be beneficial.
As beneficial as these vitamins are to help with symptoms of depression, a physician should always be consulted if symptoms persist, or are severe.
Further Reading:
Learn more about vitamins and supplements in How to Choose a Vitamin Supplement
Learn more about herbal remedies in Health Benefits of Herbal Supplements
Tanya Martinenko - Tanya was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba; and spent many of her earlier years living in several different places, including New ...
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