Home > Health & Fitness > Mental Health > Depression
Created on: May 11, 2010
I take quite a few supplements because of both acne and depression, and I try my best to select supplements that have a medical basis. When it comes to depression, I always consult my psychiatrist about any supplements I am planning on taking. It's important to recognize that if you are on any medications, something isn't safe just because you don't need a prescription. Many supplements, in fact, provide warning labels about drug interactions.
Especially in cases of seasonal depression, there is some evidence that vitamin D supplementation can improve mood. Furthermore, research suggests that the recommended daily intake of vitamin D is a low recommendation. It's fine for most people, but many of us can benefit from higher doses of Vitamin D. In addition to food, I take 3000 iu of Vitamin D. It's improved things for me slightly, but it wasn't a drastic improvement.
When it comes to taking supplements, it's important to remember that things work differently for different people. Depression is an extremely complex phenomenon. Sometimes it's caused by health problems in the brain, which can vary from person to person. It can also be the result of other health issues such as thyroid problems. When you research vitamins online, you'll find everything under the sun. For every medication, there is a doctor willing to recommend it in exchange for some cash - or in many cases, someone posing as a doctor. Furthermore, if a scientific study says something doesn't improve depression, it doesn't. These studies are rigorous, and any benefits people receive from the supplement are the result of the placebo effect. Scientists regularly take people who make these kinds of claims and test them with placebos and the real supplement to confirm that they are simply imagining a benefit. If it's not helpful, it's not helpful.
While placebo effects can help you feel better, they aren't necessarily long-term benefits. It's also preferable not to spend money on something that isn't actually working. This is why skepticism is important about supplements - even if you think they are helping. I was becoming excessively into supplements and vitamins. I had to slowly remove them from my diet to determine what was actually helping. I've spent over a hundred dollars on supplements that didn't actually do anything.
In addition to Vitamin D, folic acid has research supporting it. This research suggests it may help augment antidepressants, which means you should discuss with your doctor before
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