Vitamins Improve Depression with Anxiety

By Marcelina Hardy, Staff Writer Thursday, August 25, 2011

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Researchers have found that vitamins deficiencies can lead individuals to feeling depressed and anxious. By ensuring you receive a sufficient amount of certain vitamins, specifically vitamin D and vitamin B, you can relieve yourself of depression and anxiety symptoms.  Here's what current research indicates.

Vitamin D Deficiency

• A national study in 2010 found that people with depression were more likely to be deficient in vitamin D compared to people who were not deficient in the vitamin.
• The University of Toronto found that depression sufferers with seasonal affective disorder felt their symptoms improve as their vitamin D levels increased with the turn of the seasons.
• In a study^[1] published in Clinical Rheumatology in 2007, researchers found that there might be a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and depressive symptoms if associated with other illnesses. For example, if someone has rheumatoid arthritis and vitamin D deficiency, they are more likely to suffer depression.

Vitamin B Deficiency

• Researchers in Spain^[2] found that depression rates increased for male smokers as their folate levels decreased. Women also showed an increased risk of suffering from depression if they were smokers or were physically active but if they were deficient in vitamin B12.

Which Vitamins to Take For Depression with Anxiety
If you’re looking for a natural way to relieve some of your symptoms of depression with anxiety, consider these vitamins.

Omega 3s or Fish Oil
Scientists have discovered that people who don’t get enough omega 3s in their diet are at an increased risk of suffering from depression. Researchers in one study found that people in one society who ate a limited amount of omega 3 had a higher rate of depression than societies that eat much more of it.

Omega 3 also helps reduce anxiety. Fish oil helps keep brain membranes flexible. This helps the movement of hormones and chemical messengers, which then helps a person think more clearly and experience better moods.

Tip: If eating fish isn’t your idea of a delectable meal, alternatives do exist.  Flax seeds and flax seed oil contain ample omega 3s that are just as beneficial to the body as the omega 3s from fish oil.

Antioxidants or Vitamin C and E
The brain needs antioxidants to attack free radicals that try to enter the brain to cause damage. This damage to the neurotransmitters is what can cause major depression in some people. Free radicals are toxins that your body produces from normal daily body functions.

You can’t do anything to keep them from producing but you can eliminate them and thus stop their corrupting effects on the body by getting adequate amounts of vitamins C and E.

Not only can vitamin C help keep your brain safe from free radicals, it can also produce a tranquilizing effect. This can greatly help individuals who feel anxiety with their depression.

If you are under an extreme amount of stress, you may want to try taking a compound that include bioflavonoids. This will further increase the calming effects of the vitamin.

Vitamin Bs
According to the Depression Guide^[3], vitamin B deficiency leads to mood changes, insomnia, changes in appetite, sugar cravings and impaired drug metabolism. It also reports that it plays an essential part in relieving depression and the anxiety and restlessness that is commonly associated with it.

Vitamin B1 is a great vitamin for the brain. It turns carbohydrates into energy for the brain and it stimulates the nerves.

Vitamin B3, also referred to as niacin, produces serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood and many anti-depressants target this to correct the imbalance of it. This may be a way to do it naturally.

Vitamin B5 or pantothenic acid produces a natural chemical that can also aid in the production of neurotransmitters.

To reduce anxiety specifically, you should ensure you are getting plenty of B6 or pyridoxine.

Speak to Your Doctor
Speak to your doctor before starting any vitamin regimen, as some vitamins can affect some drugs’ effectiveness. Do not stop taking anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications without the guidance of your medical doctor. For many of these medications, you may need titration or you could experience severe side effects. In addition, your symptoms may come back suddenly, which could put you at risk for suicide.

Sources

	Nordic Naturals DHA Softgels Strawberry Why do I recommend this specific product? DHA works wonders in the brain, helping with clarity and mood. Nordic Naturals makes this supplement that tastes like strawberries.
	Kal Melatonin 5 mg Lozenge  Why do I recommend this specific product? If stress is what's bugging you, try Kal's melatonin. Each dose contains 5 mg of melatonin in a form that is fast acting and effective.