A low intake of protein and dietary fibre as a result of food insecurity can increase the risk of depression. Adequate diet and food security can play an important role in the prevention of depression.
Low levels of B-12 and other B vitamins such as vitamin B-6 and folate may be linked to depression. Low levels of a vitamin can result from eating a poor diet or not being able to absorb the vitamins you consume.
Risk factors
Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic. Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can result in hematological changes, neurological and psychiatric problems, which can manifest as irritability, changes in personality, depression, and memory loss [9]. It is also known to worsen depression by excitotoxic reactions caused by the accumulation of homocysteine [10].
Vitamin B deficiency (B1, B6, B7, B12, B complex) can contribute to depression, anxiety, and mood swings. It is associated with a disruption in the nervous system as well as the circulatory system. B12/B9, or folate, is at the forefront of mood management.
2020 research suggests that vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, may be helpful in improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression in some people. It's well-known that a deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in neurological and psychiatric problems, including depression, irritability, and memory loss.
The study, which gathered evidence from 361 peer-reviewed scientific studies, found no link between depression and serotonin levels in the blood.
production of serotonin – serotonin is a hormone that affects your mood, appetite and sleep; a lack of sunlight may lead to lower serotonin levels, which is linked to feelings of depression.
Chemical imbalances, genetics, and stress are all risk factors that play a supporting role in a much larger picture of depression.
Today, women are three times more likely than men to experience common mental health problems. In 1993, they were twice as likely. Rates of self-harm among young women have tripled since 1993. Women are more than three times as likely to experience eating disorders than men.
With respect to major depression, a worldwide survey reported that 45.7% of individuals with lifetime major depressive disorder had a lifetime history of one or more anxiety disorder (5).
Dopamine: a chemical for motivation
Reduced dopamine levels, too, may contribute to depression.
Mental health problems such as memory loss, anxiety, depression, irritability, and insomnia are also associated with deficiencies in vitamin B1. The brain uses this vitamin to help convert glucose or blood sugar into energy. This means that without it, the brain may not have enough energy to function normally.
A dopamine imbalance can cause depression symptoms, such as apathy and feelings of hopelessness, while a serotonin imbalance can affect the processing of emotions.
Low dopamine levels are linked with certain health conditions like Parkinson's disease or depression. It may also make you more susceptible to taking risks or developing addictions.
Deficits in serotonin and dopamine can cause a host of signs and symptoms, including depressed mood, fatigue, lack of motivation, decreased sex drive, and difficulty concentrating. A dopamine deficiency can also cause tremors, muscle cramps, and difficulty with balance.
Some believe it is unlikely that antidepressants cause any permanent changes to brain chemistry in the long term. The evidence seems to indicate that these medications cause brain changes that only persist while the medication is being taken or in the weeks following withdrawal.
Depression does not have a clear pattern of inheritance in families. People who have a first-degree relative (for example, a parent or sibling) with depression appear to have a two to three times greater risk of developing the condition than the general public.
Plus, a 2020 study found that increased levels of folate and vitamin B12 play a major role in the link between a healthy diet and decreased depression rates. Good sources of vitamin B9 include: spinach and other dark leafy green vegetables. liver.