Document Type

Plan B - Open Access

Award Date

2022

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Health and Consumer Sciences

First Advisor

Kendra Kattelmann

Keywords

Depression, Serum Folate, Serum Vitamin B12

Abstract

Depression is a common psychological mood disorder that impacts more than 16 million adults in the United States. It can impact several areas of a person’s life including physical activity, diet and daily activities. The role of nutrition in depression therapy has been researched for several years, with folate and vitamin B12 being the main highlights. Folate and vitamin B12 play a vital role in the development of the central nervous system and conversion of homocysteine to methionine. Past research has found inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between folate, vitamin B12 and their role in depression. This article dives into the existing research to evaluate why there is an inconsistency. A total of 13 studies met the criteria and were included in the review. The findings from these studies show the inconsistency of the research, with some studies finding a relationship and others finding no relationship. Several studies imply that depression can increase the chance of individuals developing vitamin deficiencies, which can increase the severity of depression symptoms. However, there are studies that have found no relationship between folate, vitamin B12 and depression. Several limitations need to be addressed and continued research needs to be done before a conclusive answer be provided.

Number of Pages

21

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

© 2022 Jenifer Sip

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