December 8, 2003 – Vitamin B12 supplements may increase the effectiveness of drugs prescribed to patients with depression, Finnish researchers say.
Scientists from Kuopio University studied1 for six months 115 depressed patients and divided them into three groups, depending on their reaction to antidepressants. The researchers then measured the level of vitamin B12 in their body, which allowed them to establish a correlation between this level and the improvement in their condition.
The patients who responded best to treatment were those with the highest vitamin B12 levels both at the start and at the end of the study; likewise, those with the lowest rate experienced the least relief from treatment.
The mechanism by which vitamin B12 appears to increase the effectiveness of antidepressants has not been elucidated. The researchers say, however, that their study is the first to suggest that vitamin B12 supplements may be helpful in treating depression in patients who already have normal or high levels of this vitamin. (Nutritional deficiencies in vitamin B12 have already been mentioned as a possible cause of depression).
A previous study had for its part demonstrated2 that elderly patients who take vitamin B1, B2 and B6 supplements respond better to treatment. Taking these supplements indirectly increases the level of vitamin B12 in the body.
Jean-Benoit Legault – PasseportSanté.net
From eurekalert.org; December 1, 2003.
1. Hintikka J, Tolmunen T, Tanskanen A, Viinamaki H. High vitamin B12 level and good treatment outcome may be associated in major depressive disorder.BMC Psychiatry 2003 Nov 27 [Epub ahead of print].
2. Bell IR, Edman JS, Morrow FD, Marby DW, Perrone G, Kayne HL, Greenwald M, Cole JO. Brief communication. Vitamin B1, B2, and B6 augmentation of tricyclic antidepressant treatment in geriatric depression with cognitive dysfunction.J Am Coll Nutr 1992 Apr; 11 (2): 159-63.
