A vitamin used to lower the risk of birth defects may
also be an effective treatment for depression.
Research shows that men with high levels of folate in their diets were
up to 50 per cent less likely to have symptoms of depression than those
with the lowest amounts.
Now a £1million clinical trial is under way in Britain looking at
whether giving folate can help tackle the condition by boosting the
effects of drug treatment.
Folate, one of the B vitamins, is found naturally in some foods,
including leafy vegetables, beans, citrus fruits and wholegrains.
As a supplement, folic acid - the synthetic form of the vitamin - has
been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of birth defects.
Research shows it can lower the chances of neural tube defects,
including spina bifida, where the spine is incorrectly developed, by up
to 70 per cent.
The vitamin is involved in the process of making healthy new cells. Both
adults and children need folate to make normal red blood cells and
prevent anaemia.
One in five people experience depression at some point, but scientists
say only half of those treated with antidepressants will get better; and
many others experience symptoms for long periods.
Now researchers have found that the more folate in the diet, the less severe
the symptoms of depression.
Symptoms can include low mood, irritability, loss of selfconfidence, lack of
energy, insomnia and low libido.
A study by the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Japan found
that men with the highest folate levels had 50 per cent fewer symptoms of
depression compared to those with the least amounts in their diets.
A second study, at the Centre de Recherche de Jouyen- Josas, in France,
found folate protected against recurrent bouts of depression in men over an
eight-year period.
A third study, at the University of Kuopio, in Finland, based on 2,682 men
aged 42 to 60, found that those with the lowest levels of folate had a 67
per cent higher risk of being depressed than those who had the highest.
The risk remained the same after taking into account smoking habits, alcohol
consumption, appetite, weight, marital status,
education and total fat consumption.
"These results indicate that nutrition may have a role in the prevention of
depression," said the researchers.
Smaller studies have also found a protective effect for women. Some research
suggests folate may boost the effects of drug therapy when used with
antidepressants.
In the new study - being conducted by the University of Wales - groups of
men and women will be given daily folate supplements.
"Low levels of folate, caused by poor diet, may worsen or even cause
depression, and may stop antidepressants from working as
well as they should," say the researchers.
"This means that taking folate tablets could help treat depression."
In the study, more than 700 patients with moderate to severe depression
referred to the trial by their GP or psychiatrist are getting either a 5mg
folate tablet or a dummy tablet each day for three months in addition to
their antidepressant.
Just how folate could work is not clear. One theory is that it has a
beneficial effect on brain chemicals.
Another theory is that low levels of folate result in the build-up of
homocysteine, an amino acid which is produced in the body. Higher levels of
this have been associated with increased symptoms of depression.
The Foods Standards Agency says people should be able to get the folate they
need from eating a varied and balanced diet, without taking supplements.
