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FOLATE FOR DEPRESSION AND TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND AS A POSSIBLE NEUROPROTECTANT
SUMMARY
WHAT WE KNOW
Folate, also known as folic acid or Vitamin B9, is an important nutrient, present in leafy green
vegetables and in fortified grain products. Low folate levels have been associated with
depression and dementia in some studies-- those studies need to be updated to take account of
the widespread use of fortified grain products (required in the U.S. since 1998) and B vitamin
supplements (B6 and B12 in addition to B9).
Folate issues
Folate is easily inactivated by cooking and processing food, and folate levels may be affected by
many other factors, including chronic disease, diabetes and other metabolic problems, cancer,
smoking, alcohol use, poor diet, and medications such as mood stabilizers, L-dopa, statins, oral
anti-diabetic drugs, and cancer chemotherapy. In addition, genetic variations in the MTHFR
gene may reduce the ability to benefit fully from oral folate supplements, and may be related
to folate deficiency. Thus, folate levels should be tested before more intrusive treatment is
used for depression or mild cognitive impairment.
Efficacy
A 2009 review coauthored by Mischoulon showed methylfolate supplementation to be
effective as an adjunctive therapy with psychotropic drugs or as a stand-alone treatment for
both men and women in:
reducing depressive symptoms in people with normal and low folate levels,
improving cognitive function and reducing depressive symptoms in elderly people with
folate deficiency, and