27 January 2010
Higher blood levels of vitamin B9 (folate) may reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in men, says a new study.
In the study, vitamin B9 (folate) and homocysteine blood levels in 530 Japanese people were compared with depressive symptoms identified in over 36 percent of the male and female participants (1).
The results showed that depressive symptoms were less common in men with higher folate levels. Indeed, the highest levels were associated with a 50 percent reduction in the prevalence of depressive symptoms, compared to the lowest folate levels. On the other hand, a link between higher levels of the amino acid homocysteine and a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in men was observed. In women, neither folate nor homocysteine was associated with depressive symptoms.
The research adds to a growing body of research linking folate and folic acid intake to improved mood, and follows a review of 11 studies involving 15,315 participants that reported low folate levels were linked to increased depression (2).
In 2003, U.S. researchers reported that folic acid supplements may help reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms (3).
The World Health Organization (WHO) forecasts that within 20 years more people will be affected by depression than any other health problem; it ranks depression as the leading cause of disability worldwide, with around 120 million people affected.
21 March 2013
According to a new study from the UK there is no evidence that women’s blood vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are associated with the offspring’s total body or spinal bone mineral concentrations. However, experts recommend vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy to support both maternal and fetal bone health.
28 February 2014
A new US study reports that men who regularly consume foods high in lycopene may be half as likely to develop lethal prostate cancer compared to those with low intakes.
1 June 2015
Life expectancy in most of Northern Europe is almost double what it was two centuries ago. If ageing is considered a disease, then it surely is the most prevalent disease. Professor Mathers says «the challenge is to enhance healthy ageing and to reduce the financial and social burdens associated with chronic ill health in later life».
