Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins play a role in producing brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Low levels of B-12 and other B vitamins such as vitamin B-6 and folate may be linked to depression.
Vitamin D, melatonin and St. John's Wort are recommended for seasonal depression. Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and vitamin C may also help with depression. Vitamins are not a replacement for medical treatment but may improve its effectiveness.
Some of the best vitamins for depression include vitamin D, iron, B9 (folate), calcium, vitamin C, and vitamins B12 and B3. Keep reading to learn more about vitamins that help with depression so you can make informed decisions about how best to treat your symptoms of depression.
While all vitamins are essential for good health, some are linked explicitly to fatigue when they aren't consumed in adequate amounts. B vitamins, including vitamins B6, B12, and folate, are most commonly associated with energy and tiredness.
Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins play a role in producing brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Low levels of B-12 and other B vitamins such as vitamin B-6 and folate may be linked to depression.
Vitamin B-12 has a big role in stabilizing your energy levels. It actually helps give you more energy, rather than making you tired. If you do notice feeling a little fatigued, even though you're regularly taking a B-12 supplement, it's likely a sign of something else that is out of the norm in your body.
B vitamins like B12 and B6 may help relieve stress, support cognitive function, and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety [2, 3, 4]. An Oxford study found that optimal B12 levels support brain health.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Rare Cause of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness.
Vitamin B12, for example, should definitely be taken in the morning. This is because it is important for energy metabolism, which may interrupt your sleep if taken at night.
Doctors often start by prescribing an SSRI. These drugs are considered safer and generally cause fewer bothersome side effects than other types of antidepressants. SSRIs include citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft) and vilazodone (Viibryd).
Doctors may sometimes treat depression and insomnia by prescribing an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or other antidepressant along with a sedating antidepressant or with a hypnotic medication. These medicines help you sleep. Antidepressants include: SSRIs.
RelaxaMag may be taken during the day to help with mood stress or at night to promote relaxation and deeper sleep. Magnesium works together as team with potassium and thiamin/vitamin B1. These nutrients are readily depleted by 21st Century stressors.
The sedating antidepressants most commonly used to help with sleep include Trazodone (Desyrel), Amitriptyline (Elavil), and Doxepin (Sinequan). It should be noted that when these medications are used for sleeping and pain relieving properties, it is in much lower doses than when used in the treatment of depression.
Get active. Virtually any form of physical activity can act as a stress reliever. Even if you're not an athlete or you're out of shape, exercise can still be a good stress reliever. Physical activity can pump up your feel-good endorphins and other natural neural chemicals that enhance your sense of well-being.
Vitamins B9 and B12 are both thought to treat symptoms of anxiety. Folic acid has many uses in the body, and B9 deficiency has been linked to higher levels of anxiety and depression. When taken in conjunction with B12, these B super-vitamins help metabolize serotonin, which is important for mood regulation.
You can definitely opt for taking vitamin B12 supplements at night if that's what works best for you, although the natural energy-boosting abilities of vitamin B12 might be put to better use as you're starting the day.
B12 also plays a role in the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate our circadian rhythms. It is possible that a deficiency of B12 could lead to disrupted sleep patterns.
Vitamin B12 works on the pineal gland, which is responsible for the production of melatonin. The vitamin helps increase the production of melatonin during the nighttime hours, as well as release it earlier, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.
2020 research suggests that vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, may be helpful in improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression in some people. It's well-known that a deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in neurological and psychiatric problems, including depression, irritability, and memory loss.
Very high daily doses of vitamin B12, ranging between 1000 and 2000 mcg, may effectively restore B12 levels within the body and positively impact depression symptoms. Even doses as low as 100 mcg are potent enough to positively impact cognition in adults with depressive symptoms.