Low Folate Levels and Depressive Symptoms Among Men

Folate a B-complex vitamin and homocysteine an amino acid have been implicated to have a role in depression. A high serum homocysteine level is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The objective of a recent study by The International Medical Center of Japan, Toyama was to clarify the association between serum folate and homocysteine concentrations and depressive symptoms in Japanese adults.

The study analyzed data from 530 municipal employees  313 men and 217 women, aged 21–67 years, who participated in a health survey at the time of periodic checkup. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale.

Results found in total, 113 men (36.1%) and 79 women (36.4%) had depressive symptoms.  Higher serum folate was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in men. Low serum folate was related to an increased prevalence of depressive symptoms among these men.

However, in women neither folate nor homocysteine was associated with depressive symptoms.

Spinach, asparagus, beets, lentils provide the most abundant natural sources of folate. 
Fortified cereals are a good source of folic acid.

The terms folic acid and folate are often used interchangeably. Folic acid, the more stable form, occurs rarely in foods or the human body but is the form most often used in vitamin supplements and fortified foods.

Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid, which is an intermediate in the metabolism of another sulfur-containing amino acid, methionine. The amount of homocysteine in the blood is regulated by three vitamins: folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

Please keep in mind this study relates to depressive symptoms . . . not depression.

Source:
Serum folate and homocysteine and depressive symptoms among Japanese men and women
A Nanri, T Mizoue, Y Matsushita,
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 289–296

Comments

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