Complementary & Alternative Medicine for Mental Health

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No interactions with psychotropic drugs have been noted. Folate is not toxic. There appears to
be no reason for children or pregnant or lactating women to avoid folate.

CONCLUSION

Promising, but not yet proven.

 Folate is especially promising for depression if lithium or SSRIs are ineffective or poorly

tolerated, and it is particularly promising for women.

 Folate is also promising for mild cognitive impairment.

 A diet rich in leafy green vegetables is good for almost everyone.

 B vitamin supplements are a prudent neuroprotectant.

OUTLINE

EFFICACY: DEPRESSION

METHYLFOLATE

SUGGESTED BUT UNPROVEN USE: NEUROPROTECTION

DRUG INTERACTIONS

SIDE EFFECTS

DOSAGE

1. Folic acid (also known as vitamin B 9 or folacin) and folate (the naturally occurring form), as
   well as folinic acid (leucovorin), pteroyl-L-glutamic acid and pteroyl-L-glutamate,
   are forms of the water-soluble vitamin B 9. Folate is not biologically active. Its biological
   importance is due to its production of L-methyltetrahydrofolate (known as methylfolate)
   and other derivatives after its conversion to dihydrofolic acid in the liver.