91
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
- 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.