Based in South Florida, Naval Parikh, MD, is a respected internal medicine physician in private practice. He also facilitates clinical trials at NAPA Research. Widely published in his field, Naval Parikh, MD, is the author of “Role of Folate on Depression: A Shift from Folate Replacement to Folate Supplementation” (Molecular Medicine Journal, Vol. 6, 74-76).
A Harvard Mental Health Letter detailed the role of folate, also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, in treating psychiatric symptoms such as depression. Folate is found naturally in citrus, leafy green vegetables, and beans. Found naturally in citrus, leafy green vegetables, and beans, folate is also required at a certain level by pregnant women to mitigate miscarriage and birth-defect risks.
Working in tandem with vitamins B12 and B6, folate works to break down homocysteine, an amino acid that, when found in high levels, has links with depression and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, breaking down homocysteine produces SAMe, which in an important component of brain cells. Deficiencies of SAMe are associated with depression.
One issue for some people is that they harbor a variant gene that prevents the folate in their diet from being fully synthesized and used. One study has suggested that having this variant increases risks of depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In addition, low levels of folate in the blood can make antidepressant drugs less effective.
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