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Scientists from Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás have found that B vitamins and vitamin D may help prevent or reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Depression is more than simply feeling sad or having a bad day. When a low mood persists for a long period and begins to interfere with everyday functioning, it may indicate depression.
The exact cause of depression is not fully understood. It is thought to result from a complex interaction of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
Anxiety disorders often occur alongside depression.
People with anxiety disorders experience intense and sometimes uncontrollable feelings of anxiety, fear, worry, or panic. These symptoms can interfere with daily life and may persist over time.
In the review study, researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of B vitamin and vitamin D therapy in improving outcomes for people with depression and anxiety disorders. The team also sought to assess the strength of evidence supporting supplementation recommendations in clinical practice.
The analyses were conducted between March 2020 and September 2021. Researchers reviewed clinical studies involving adults aged 18 years and older who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or mild to severe depressive or anxiety symptoms.
A total of 20 studies involving more than 2,200 participants with MDD, GAD, or depressive and anxiety symptoms were included in the review.
The findings showed that supplementation with folic acid or L-methylfolate, vitamin B1, vitamin B12 or methylcobalamin, and vitamin D was associated with significant reductions in depression scores. These improvements were observed either by enhancing response to standard pharmacological treatments or when used as monotherapy, including cases of partial or complete remission.
For anxiety symptoms, however, the available evidence was largely limited to vitamin D supplementation.
The researchers note that in several studies, B vitamins and vitamin D were combined with other compounds, meaning the observed improvements cannot be attributed solely to these nutrients.
Overall, the results suggest that interventions involving B vitamins and/or vitamin D may serve as effective and well-tolerated adjunctive strategies for improving symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The research was published in Nutritional Neuroscience and conducted by Jaqueline G. Borges-Vieira and Camila K. Souza Cardoso.
