Low Folate Levels Associated with Depression
How is folate associated with depression?
- Depressed patients with low red blood cell folate are 6 times more likely not to respond to antidepressant therapy and are less likely to achieve remission. 9-11
- Depressed patients consistently have demonstrated lower serum or RBC folate concentrations.8,14
- Low RBC folate levels are correlated with longer and more severe depressive episodes. 9,12
Brain with folate deficiency
What factors may be associated with low folate levels?8
If you have...
- Impaired folate metabolism
Genetic 677 C->T Polymorphism. Present in half of the general population. - Some Chronic Diseases
Diabetes, hypothyroidism, atrophic gastritis, Crohn's, colitis, malignancies - Certain Drugs
Anticonvulsants drugs (mood stabilizers), lithium, oral contraceptives, oral antidiabetic drugs, methotrexate, sulphasalazine, L-dopa, statin drugs, niacin - Life Style
Smoking, alcohol, dietary folate deficiency - Pregnancy
