Depressed? Are You Getting Enough B Vitamins?

A cross-sectional study published in Psychosomatic Medicine (October 2010; 72: 763–768) examined the relationship between dietary B-vitamin intake and depressive symptoms in 6,517 adolescents aged 12 to 15. Dietary intake was assessed using a diet history questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were defined as a score greater than 16 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 22.5% in boys and 31.2% in girls. Intake of folic acid and vitamin B6 was inversely associated with depressive symptoms in both sexes. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) intake was inversely associated with depressive symptoms in girls, but not in boys.

The authors concluded that higher dietary intake of certain B vitamins was associated with fewer depressive symptoms during early adolescence.

B vitamins are naturally present in whole foods. Whole grains are rich sources of B-complex vitamins, while meat, poultry, and fish provide vitamin B12. Leafy green vegetables are abundant sources of folate. In contrast, diets high in refined sugar, white flour products, and white rice are associated with B-vitamin depletion. Adolescents consuming large amounts of highly processed foods may therefore be more vulnerable to fatigue and mood-related symptoms.