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I've been taking Folic Acid regularly for my heart, but here's a story that says I might be getting additional benefits from it. Come to think of it, I have been feeling pretty good lately.
Sat Jul 5, 4:27 PM ET
By Alison McCook
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New findings suggests that some people with depression might have problems metabolizing the B vitamin folate -- supporting the idea that supplements could help ward off the condition, researchers say.
"Lack of folate and/or a disturbed folate metabolism ... may partially be the cause of the depression in some people," study author Dr. Ingvar Bjelland told Reuters Health. Previous research has suggested that folic acid supplements may boost the effects of antidepressants, an idea supported by the current study, Bjelland said. The results, which appear in the Archives of General Psychiatry, "could even support the suggestion that folate may prevent depression," the researcher noted.
Explaining why folate might play a role in depression, the researcher said the body may need the B vitamin to build important substances in the brain -- a lack of which may cause depression and other mental disorders.
To Bjelland, the current study supports a simple message: get your vitamins. "Vitamins are important, not only for the physical health, but for the mental health as well," the researcher said.
SOURCE: Archives of General Psychiatry 2003;60:618-626.
And now from Great Britain, here's some research that confirms that taking daily vitamins keeps you healthier. Check it out.
Could taking vitamin pills reduce the risk of getting an infection?
The Daily Mail (4 March 2003) reported that a daily multivitamin pill could halve the risk of catching a cold and other infections and that people with diabetes were likely to get the best protection.
The trial on which the article is based found that participants taking a placebo reported more infections than those taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement (73% versus 43%). Participants in the placebo group also reported more days missed from work due to infection (57% versus 21%). These results were affected by the presence of 51 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus who responded particularly well to the multivitamin and mineral supplement (17% versus 93% in the placebo group reporting an infection).
The objective of the research was to determine the effect of a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement on infection and general well being.
The above is not meant to be medical advice. Please read the attached Disclaimer, Etc.
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