Research has shown that inflammation, oxidative stress, and other things that happen inside the body can have an effect on depression. Because of this, some supplements have been used to treat depression symptoms for decades, either alone or in combination with antidepressants.
Even though there is no substitute for professional medical treatment from psychologists, psychiatrists, and other licensed providers, there is evidence that natural remedies may help relieve depression symptoms. Before we look in depth at four supplements you might want to try for depression, let’s take a quick look at depression in general.
Which supplements are best for depression?
Several studies have looked at Supplements to reduce Depression. Still, not all studies are of the same quality, and it’s important to pay attention to the results of studies that were done well and published in high-quality journals. A Harvard-affiliated study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry did a meta-analysis, which is a thorough review of existing studies. This is a good way to quickly see what works. They looked at the results of 16 different studies on supplements for depression to see which ones had enough evidence to suggest that they help reduce depression symptoms when taken with antidepressants.
Here are the depression supplements they found to be successful:
Fish oil (high EPA)
Fish oil has a lot of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for how the brain works and may help reduce inflammation linked to depression. Fish oil has two kinds of omega-3s: EPA and DHA. When it comes to depression, researchers found that EPA is the one that helps the most.
L-methylfolate (a specific type of folic acid)
Some people’s genes make it harder for them to use folic acid in cellular processes, which may be linked to depression. Taking L-methylfolate as a supplement can help fill this gap and keep the processes inside the cells going. In fact, there is already a form of L-methylfolate that has been approved by the FDA and is given to people who don’t respond to antidepressants at first.
SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine)
A Harvard panel said that the above depression supplements and St. John’s Wort are “safe and often effective natural therapies” for people who don’t take antidepressants. Fish oil supplements are also thought to have health benefits that go beyond treating depression. For example, they may help keep bones, cells, and heart function healthy.
Takeaways
Studies have shown that supplements can be a natural and effective way to treat depression symptoms. Supplements are a natural way that has been shown to help treat depression.
Even though research that shows these supplements help with depression is encouraging, it’s important to remember that these results aren’t perfect or final. The research that has been done so far is a good place to start. It’s also important to remember that each supplement was studied on its own, and putting them together could have different effects.
