What is the correlation between Vitamins and Depression? It has been found by research that a variety of deficiencies of certain B vitamins may lead to symptoms of depression.

Vitamins B Complex

The first signs of insufficient amounts of Vitamin B complex are mood changes, insomnia, changes in appetite, a craving for sugar and an impaired drug metabolism. The B vitamin group of supplements play a role in alleviating depression and in reducing anxiety and restlessness that may be apart of the depression.

Vitamins B Complex

B1 is needed by our bodies for nerve stimulation and for metabolism of carbohydrates for brain energy along with body energy. A deficiency of this vitamin may include mood disorders, anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and/or night terrors. The brain uses B1 or Thiamine to convert blood sugar into fuel. If B1 is in short supply, your brain will run low of energy very quickly leading to fatigue, anxiety, depression, irritability, and maybe suicidal thoughts.

B2 deficiency can produce adverse personality changes, including aggressive personality alterations.

B3 deficiency can be associated with depression by irritability and other mental disturbances. With a minor deficiency of B3 you may have agitation and anxiety but the a major deficiency of B3 you may have dementia and psychosis.

B5 is needed in the formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which can be related to some forms of depression. Deficiency in this vitamin can also cause depression, fatigue and allergies. B5 is needed by our body for the uptake amino acids and acetylcholine which is required to combine together to prevent depression.
Serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine are all needed for neurotransmitters in our brain. These 3 keep us feeling good. The more we have the better we feel.

B6 is needed by our bodies to help in the regulating our mood disorders and is the most implicated of all of the B vitamins in the cause and treatment of depression. B6 is needed to manufacture these crucial neurotransmitters in our brain.

B12 can cause mental changes that cause a difficulty in concentrating or remembering, mental fatigue and low moods. Or all the way to severe depression and intense agitation. The most serious problem of a B12 deficiency can lead to an oxygen transportation problem known as pernicious anemia. This can lead to mood swings, paranoia, irritability, hallucinations, confusion, dementia, dizziness, heart palpitations, weakness, shortage of breath, and tingling sensations in the extremities. The deficiency of this vitamin is more critical as we grow older.

B Vitamin's can be destroyed by eating such things as refined sugar, caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. If you continue to ingest these items then you need to be taking a Vitamin B-Complex supplement daily.

The daily dose of vitamin B-complex recommended are between 50-100mg. This dose is much higher than you find in most multivitamins. So taking a recommended B-Complex supplement for your daily requirements. The large doses of vitamin B can turn your urine bright yellow, this is perfectly normal. B vitamins should be taken in a complex supplement rather than an individually as they work together. Also they should be taken with meals to ensure that they are properly broken down and absorbed by the digestive enzymes. B vitamins should be taken early in the day as they may cause insomnia if taken at night.