Depression (Holistic)
About This Condition
- Get active
Exercise that increases your heart rate at least three hours a week (or 30 minutes a day) may help boost your body’s natural mood-enhancers (endorphins).
- Get enough iron
A lack of iron can make depression worse; check with a doctor to find out if you are iron deficient.
- Check out St. John’s wort
Take 600 to 1,200 mg a day of a standardized herbal extract containing of 0.3% hypericin to help with mild to moderate depression—but talk to your doctor first as St. John's wort can interact with certain medications.
- Try B vitamins
Take a supplement that contains folic acid and vitamins B12 and B6 to help correct deficiencies associated with depression.
- Seek counseling
A mental health professional may help you make a full recovery.
- Get and stay active
Aim for a regular program of fitness activities you enjoy to help prevent depression.
- Balance your fats
Increase your intake of oily fish high in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce depression risk.
- Avoid B deficiencies
Use a healthy diet and/or supplements to maintain sufficient B-vitamin intake to reduce depression risk.
About This Condition
Depression is a condition characterized by unhappy, hopeless feelings. It can be a response to stressful events, hormonal imbalances, biochemical abnormalities, or other causes.
Mild depression that passes quickly may not require any diagnosis or treatment. However, when depression becomes recurrent, constant, or severe, it should be diagnosed by a licensed counselor, psychologist, social worker, or doctor. Diagnosis may be crucial for determining appropriate treatment. For example, depression caused by low thyroid function can be successfully treated with prescription thyroid medication. Suicidal depression often requires prescription antidepressants. Persistent mild to moderate depression triggered by stressful events is often best treated with counseling and not necessarily with medications.
When depression is not a function of external events, it is called endogenous. Endogenous depression can be due to biochemical abnormalities. Lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and herbs may be used with people whose depression results from a variety of causes, but these natural interventions are usually best geared to endogenous depression.
Symptoms
A diagnosis of depression requires at least five of the following symptoms.
- Depressed mood.
- Diminished interest or pleasure in all or most activities, most of the day, nearly every day.
- Significant weight loss or gain when not dieting (e.g., more than 5% of body weight in a month).
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping nearly every day.
- Agitation or depression in voluntary muscle movements nearly every day.
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness nearly every day.
- Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of death), recurrent suicidal ideation without a plan, or a suicide attempt or specific plan to commit suicide.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
Exercise increases the body’s production of endorphins—chemical substances that can relieve depression. Scientific research shows that routine exercise can positively affect mood and help with depression.1 As little as three hours per week of aerobic exercise can profoundly reduce the level of depression.2 One trial compared the effects of an exercise training program with those of a prescription antidepressant drug in people over 50 years of age.3 The researchers found the two approaches to be equally effective after 16 weeks of treatment.
Holistic Options
Acupuncture may improve depression by affecting the synthesis of neurotransmitters that control mood.4 Controlled trials5, 6, 7 have found electro-acupuncture (acupuncture accompanied by electrical currents) equally effective as antidepressant drug therapy without causing side effects. However, a controlled trial found that both real and fake acupuncture improved depression equally well compared to no treatment.8 It is well known that placebo effects are common in the treatment of depression,9 so more controlled trials are needed before accepting the usefulness of acupuncture for depression.
Many people who are depressed seek counseling with a psychologist, social worker, psychiatrist, or other form of counselor. An analysis of four properly conducted trials of severely depressed patients comparing the effects of one form of counseling intervention, cognitive behavior therapy, with the effects of antidepressant drugs was published in 1999. In that report, cognitive behavior therapy was at least as effective as drug therapy.10 While the outcome of counseling may be more variable than outcomes from drug or natural substance interventions, many healthcare professionals consider counseling an important part of recovery for depression not due to identifiable biochemical causes.
A rhythmic breathing technique called Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) may be an effective alternative to antidepressant drugs as an initial treatment for people with clinical depression. In a controlled trial, daily 45-minute SKY sessions six days per week produced a 67% remission rate among people with a diagnosis of depression.11 This effect compared favorably with the effects of electro-shock therapy and the antidepressant drug imipramine; however, no placebo was used in this study. SKY technique is taught by the Art of Living Foundation.
In a controlled trial, magnetic stimulation to the front of the skull and underlying brain produced modest reductions of depressive symptoms in depressed people who had not responded adequately to standard treatment.12 The procedure was performed by psychiatrists using sophisticated electromagnetic medical equipment, not a simple magnet.
The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.
| Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|
| Feast on fish | People who eat diets high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish have a lower incidence of depression and suicide. The amount and type of dietary fat consumed may influence the incidence of depression. Previous studies have found that diet regimens designed to lower cholesterol levels may reduce death from cardiovascular disease, but may also heighten the incidence of depression. Does low cholesterol cause depression? It appears not, since studies have shown no adverse effect on mood in people taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. The connection more likely has to do with the balance of fats in the diet. Diets to lower blood cholesterol usually focus on restricting total fat intake while increasing the intake of polyunsaturated fats (e.g., corn and soybean oils). These oils are very high in omega-6 fatty acids, but the recommended diets otherwise lack important omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA). A high intake of omega-6 fatty acids relative to omega-3 fatty acids and an inadequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids (e.g., from fish and fish oils) have been associated with increased levels of depression. People who eat diets high in omega-3 fatty acids from fish have a lower incidence of depression and suicide. |
| Watch the sugar and caffeine | Restricting sugar and caffeine has been reported to elevate mood in some studies. People may want to avoid caffeine and sugar for one week to see how it affects their mood. Restricting sugar and caffeine in people with depression has been reported to elevate mood in preliminary research. How much of this effect resulted from sugar and how much from caffeine remains unknown. Researchers have reported that psychiatric patients who are heavy coffee drinkers are more likely to be depressed than other such patients. However, it remains unclear whether caffeine can cause depression or whether depressed people were more likely to want the “lift” associated with drinking a cup of coffee. In fact, “improvement in mood” is considered an effect of long-term coffee consumption by some researchers, a concept supported by the fact that people who drink coffee have been reported to have a 58–66% decreased risk of committing suicide compared with non-coffee drinkers. Nonetheless, a symptom of caffeine addiction can be depression. Thus, consumption of caffeine (mostly from coffee) has paradoxically been linked with both improvement in mood and depression by different researchers. People with depression may want to avoid caffeine as well as sugar for one week to see how it affects their mood. |
| Ask about insulin sensitivity | People with major depression may have insensitivity to insulin and impaired glucose tolerance. A doctor can diagnose this and initiate appropriate treatment. There is evidence that people with major depression may have insensitivity to insulin and impaired glucose tolerance. Whether treatment of impaired glucose tolerance helps depression is unknown, but a doctor can order laboratory tests to detect such abnormalities, and initiate treatment as appropriate. |
| Uncover your allergies | Although research has produced mixed results, studies have shown that food allergies can trigger mental symptoms, including depression. An elimination diet can help identify sensitivities. Although some research has produced mixed results, double-blind trials have shown that food allergies can trigger mental symptoms, including depression. People with depression who do not respond to other natural or conventional approaches should consult a doctor to diagnose possible food sensitivities and avoid offending foods. |
Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.
For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.
3 StarsReliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2 StarsContradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1 StarFor an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.
| Supplement | Why |
|---|---|
3 Stars EPA 1 to 2 grams daily EPA or 9.6 grams daily of total omega-3 fatty acids | Found in fish oil, EPA has been shown to relieve depression symptoms in some studies. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, particularly DHA, are needed for normal nervous system function. Depressed people have been reported to have lower omega-3 fatty acid levels (e.g., DHA) than people who are not depressed. Low levels of the other omega-3 fatty acid from fish, EPA, have correlated with increased severity of depression. In some double-blind trials, supplementation with various amounts of fish oil or with the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil was beneficial for the treatment of depression in both children and adults, but fish oil was ineffective in other double blind trials. EPA alone has also been reported to be beneficial. There is one case report of a man with a long history of severe depression who showed clear improvement within one month of starting a purified EPA supplement (4 grams per day of the ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid [E-EPA]). In a double-blind study, supplementation with E-EPA for 12 weeks was significantly more effective than a placebo at relieving symptoms of depression. E-EPA was beneficial, even though the participants in the study had failed to respond adequately to conventional antidepressant drugs. The conventional medications were continued during treatment with E-EPA or placebo. An effective level of intake was 1 gram per day, whereas larger amounts of E-EPA resulted in little or no benefit. The authors of the study suggested that taking too much E-EPA might cause an imbalance with other essential fatty acids, which could reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. |
3 Stars Iron (Iron-Deficiency Anemia) See a doctor for evaluation | A lack of iron can make depression worse; check with a doctor to find out if you are iron deficient. Iron deficiency is known to affect mood and can exacerbate depression, but it can only be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. While iron deficiency is easy to fix with iron supplements, people who have not been diagnosed with iron deficiency should not supplement iron. |
3 Stars Turmeric Refer to label instructions | In a few studies of patients with depression, supplementation with curcumin significantly improved depression. In a double-blind study of patients suffering from depression, the combination of antidepressant medication and curcuminoids (substances present in turmeric) given for 6 weeks improved depression to a significantly greater extent than antidepressant medication alone. The product used in the study provided daily 1,000 mg of curcuminoids plus 10 mg of piperine (a substance in black pepper that is thought to increase the absorption of curcuminoids.) In another study, supplementation with 1,000 mg per day of curcumin (one of the substances present in turmeric) for 8 weeks significantly improved depression, compared with a placebo, in patients suffering from depression. In that study, about one-third of the participants were taking an antidepressant medication. In another double-blind study, supplementation with 1,000 mg per day of curcumin enhanced the beneficial effect of antidepressant medication. |
3 Stars Vitamin B6 20 mg twice daily | Oral contraceptives can deplete the body of vitamin B6, a nutrient needed for normal mental functioning. In such cases, vitamin B6 supplementation may improve mood. Oral contraceptives can deplete the body of vitamin B6, a nutrient needed for maintenance of normal mental functioning. Double-blind research shows that women who are depressed and who have become depleted of vitamin B6 while taking oral contraceptives typically respond to vitamin B6 supplementation. In one trial, 20 mg of vitamin B6 were taken twice per day. Some evidence suggests that people who are depressed—even when not taking the oral contraceptive—are still more likely to be B6 deficient than people who are not depressed. Several clinical trials also indicate that vitamin B6 supplementation helps alleviate depression associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), although the research remains inconsistent. Many doctors suggest that women who have depression associated with PMS take 100–300 mg of vitamin B6 per day—a level of intake that requires supervision by a doctor. |
2 Stars 5-HTP Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | Depression has been linked to serotonin imbalances in the brain. Supplementing with 5-HTP may increase serotonin synthesis and reduce symptoms. Disruptions in emotional well-being, including depression, have been linked to serotonin imbalances in the brain. Supplementing with 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) may increase serotonin synthesis. Some trials using 5-HTP with people suffering from depression have shown sign of efficacy. However, much of the research was either uncontrolled or used 5-HTP in combination with antidepressant drugs. One double-blind trial found that 5-HTP was as effective as, or nearly as effective as, an antidepressant drug (fluoxetine). Depressed people interested in considering this serotonin precursor should consult a doctor. |
2 Stars Acetyl-L-Carnitine Refer to label instructions | Acetyl-L-carnitine has been shown in several studies to significantly reduce depression symptoms in seniors. Acetyl-L-carnitine may be effective for depression experienced by the elderly. A preliminary trial found that acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation was effective at relieving depression in a group of elderly people, particularly those showing more serious clinical symptoms. These results were confirmed in another similar clinical trial. In that trial, participants received either 500 mg three times a day of acetyl-L-carnitine or a matching placebo. Those receiving acetyl-L-carnitine experienced significantly reduced symptoms of depression compared to those receiving placebo. At least two other clinical studies of acetyl-L-carnitine for depression in the elderly have reported similar results. The amount typically used is 500 mg three times daily, although one trial used twice that amount. |
2 Stars Black Cohosh and St. John's Wort (Menopause) Two tablets twice a day for 8 weeks, then one tablet twice a day for 8 weeks, each tablet supplying 1 mg of triterpene glycosides from black cohosh and 0.25 mg of hypericin from St. John's wort | Menopausal and depression symptoms improved in post-menopausal women after they took a combination of black cohosh and St. John's wort. In a double-blind study of postmenopausal women who were experiencing psychological symptoms, a combination of black cohosh and St. John's wort was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving both menopausal symptoms and . The product used in this study contained (per tablet) black cohosh standardized to 1 mg of triterpene glycosides and St. John's wort standardized to 0.25 mg of hypericin. The amount taken was two tablets twice a day for eight weeks, followed by one tablet twice a day for eight weeks. |
2 Stars DHEA Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner | Some studies have reported lower DHEA levels in depressed people. However, DHEA appears to be effective for only a minority of depressed people. Some studies have reported lower DHEA levels in groups of depressed patients. However, this finding has not been consistent, and in one trial, severely depressed people were reported to show increases in blood levels of DHEA. Despite confusion regarding which depressed people might be DHEA-deficient, most double-blind trials lasting at least six weeks have reported some success in treating people with depression. After six months using 50 mg DHEA per day, “a remarkable increase in perceived physical and psychological well-being” was reported in both men and women in one double-blind trial. After only six weeks, taking DHEA in levels up to 90 mg per day led to at least a 50% reduction in depression in five of 11 patients in another double-blind trial. Other researchers have reported dramatic reductions in depression at extremely high amounts of DHEA (90–450 mg per day) given for six weeks to adults who first became depressed after age 40 (in men) or at the time of menopause (in women) in a double-blind trial. Other double-blind research has shown that limiting supplementation to only two weeks is inadequate in treating people with depression. Despite the somewhat dramatic results reported in clinical trials lasting at least six weeks, some experts claim that in clinical practice, DHEA appears to be effective for only a minority of depressed people. Moreover, due to fears of potential side effects, most healthcare professionals remain concerned about the use of DHEA. Depressed people considering taking DHEA should consult a doctor well versed in the use of DHEA. |
2 Stars Fish Oil 9.6 grams omega-3 fatty acids per day | Depressed people have been reported to have low amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Taking fish oil can replenish stores and stave off depression. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, particularly DHA, are needed for normal nervous system function. Depressed people have been reported to have lower omega-3 fatty acid levels (for example, DHA) than people who are not depressed. Low levels of the other omega-3 fatty acid from fish, EPA, have correlated with increased severity of depression. In some double-blind trials, supplementation with various amounts of fish oil was beneficial for the treatment of depression in both children and adults, but fish oil was ineffective in other double blind trials. EPA alone has also been reported to be beneficial. There is one case report of a man with a long history of severe depression who showed clear improvement within one month of starting a purified EPA supplement (4 grams per day of the ethyl ester of eicosapentaenoic acid [E-EPA]). In a double-blind study, supplementation with E-EPA for 12 weeks was significantly more effective than a placebo at relieving symptoms of depression. E-EPA was beneficial, even though the participants in the study had failed to respond adequately to conventional antidepressant drugs. The conventional medications were continued during treatment with E-EPA or placebo. An effective level of intake was 1 gram per day, whereas larger amounts of E-EPA resulted in little or no benefit. The authors of the study suggested that taking too much E-EPA might cause an imbalance with other essential fatty acids, which could reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. |
2 Stars Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12 Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 (if homocysteine levels are elevated). | In a double-blind trial, patients with depression were treated with antidepressant medication and were randomly assigned to receive a daily supplement containing folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, or a placebo. The beneficial effect of the B vitamins was seen only in patients whose homocysteine levels were on the higher end (above the median) at the start of the study. In a double-blind trial, middle-aged and elderly patients with depression were treated with antidepressant medication and were randomly assigned to receive a daily supplement containing 2 mg of folic acid, 25 mg of vitamin B6, and 500 mcg of vitamin B12, or a placebo for 1 year. While the B vitamins did not increase the effectiveness of the antidepressant medication during the first 12 weeks, they significantly decreased the number of patients who had a relapse of depression during the remainder of the study. The beneficial effect of the B vitamins was seen only in patients whose homocysteine levels were on the higher end (above the median) at the start of the study. |
2 Stars Ginkgo 240 mg daily | Ginkgo may alleviate depression in elderly people not responding to antidepressant drugs. Ginkgo biloba (240 mg per day) may alleviate depression in depressed elderly people not responding to antidepressant drugs. It is unknown if ginkgo could alleviate depression in other age groups. A small, preliminary trial has shown that ginkgo can reduce sexual problems caused by antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac), bupropion (Wellbutrin), venlafaxine (Effexor), and nefazodone (Serzone) in men and women. Double-blind trials are now needed to determine whether ginkgo is truly effective for this purpose. |
2 Stars Inositol 12 grams of inositol daily | People with depression may have lower levels of inositol. Supplementing with this nutrient may correct a deficiency and improve depression symptoms. Preliminary evidence indicates that people with depression may have lower levels of inositol. Supplementation with large amounts of inositol can increase the body’s stores by as much as 70%. In a double-blind trial, depressed people who received 12 grams of inositol per day for four weeks had a significant improvement in symptoms compared to those who took placebo. In a double-blind follow-up to this trial, the antidepressant effects of inositol were replicated. Half of those who responded to inositol supplementation relapsed rapidly when inositol was discontinued. |
2 Stars L-Tryptophan 3 to 6 grams per day | Several controlled trials have found L-tryptophan as effective as antidepressant medications. Depressed people should consult a doctor before use. Disruptions in emotional well-being, including depression, have been linked to serotonin imbalances in the brain. L-Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, and low body levels of L-tryptophan are associated with depression symptoms. Furthermore, L-tryptophan supplements have been shown to increase serotonin levels. Many uncontrolled studies report that 3 to 6 grams per day of L-tryptophan helps improve mood in depressed people. Several controlled trials found that 3 to 6 grams per day of L-tryptophan were equally as effective as antidepressant medications. Some, though not all, double blind studies reported that similar amounts of L-tryptophan were superior to a placebo for improving depression symptoms. Trials using amounts above 6 grams per day of L-tryptophan have often found no benefit for depression, suggesting that 3 to 6 grams per day is optimum. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a breakdown product of L-tryptophan and a serotonin precursor, has also been studied as a treatment for depression. Some trials using 200 to 300 mg per day of 5-HTP with people suffering from depression have shown signs of efficacy. However, much of the research was either uncontrolled or used 5-HTP in combination with antidepressant drugs. Depressed people interested in considering 5-HTP should consult a doctor. |
2 Stars L-Tyrosine Consult your doctor | Some people with depression have been found to improve with tyrosine. The amino acid L-tyrosine can be converted into norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that affects mood. Women taking oral contraceptives have lower levels of tyrosine, and some researchers think this might be related to depression caused by birth control pills. L-tyrosine metabolism may also be abnormal in other depressed people and preliminary research suggests supplementation might help. Several doctors recommend a 12-week trial of L-tyrosine supplementation for people who are depressed. Published research has used a very high amount—100 mg per 2.2 pounds of body weight (or about 7 grams per day for an average adult). It is not known whether such high amounts are necessary to produce an antidepressant effect. |
2 Stars Melatonin .25 to 10 mg daily under medical supervision | Melatonin might help relieve depression. However, there is a possibility that it could exacerbate depression, so it should only be used for this purpose under a doctor’s supervision. Melatonin might help some people suffering from depression. Preliminary double-blind research suggests that supplementation with small amounts of melatonin (0.125 mg taken twice per day) may reduce winter depression. People with major depressive disorders sometimes have sleep disturbances. A timed-release preparation of melatonin (5–10 mg per day for four weeks) was shown to be effective at improving the quality of sleep in people with major depression who were taking fluoxetine (Prozac), but melatonin did not enhance its antidepressant effect. There is a possibility that melatonin could exacerbate depression, so it should only be used for this purpose under a doctor’s supervision. |
2 Stars Phenylalanine 3 to 4 grams L-phenylalanine or 150 to 200 mg of DL-phenylalanine daily | In one study, depressed people given L-phenylalanine experienced results comparable to those produced by an antidepressant. L-phenylalanine is another amino acid that converts to mood-affecting substances (including phenylethylamine and norepinephrine). Preliminary research reported that L-phenylalanine improved mood in most of the depressed people studied.DLPA is a mixture of the essential amino acid L-phenylalanine and its synthetic mirror image, D-phenylalanine. DLPA (or the D- or L- form alone) reduced depression in 31 of 40 people in a preliminary trial. Some doctors suggest a one-month trial with 3–4 grams per day of phenylalanine for people with depression, although some researchers have found that even very low amounts—75–200 mg per day—were helpful in preliminary trials. In one double-blind trial, depressed people given 150–200 mg of DLPA per day experienced results comparable to that produced by an antidepressant drug. |
2 Stars SAMe 1,600 mg daily | SAMe appears to raise levels of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in mood regulation. SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) is a substance synthesized in the body that has recently been made available as a supplement. SAMe appears to raise levels of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter in mood regulation. Higher SAMe levels in the brain are associated with successful drug treatment of depression, and oral SAMe has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for depression in most, but not all, clinical trials. SAMe has been found to be effective both when used by itself and when used as add-on treatment to antidepressant medication. Most trials used 1,600 mg of SAMe per day. While it does not seem to be as powerful as full applications of antidepressant medications or St. John’s wort, SAMe’s effects are felt more rapidly, often within one week. |
2 Stars Selenium 100 mcg per day | Selenium deficiency may contribute to depression. Taking selenium can counteract this deficiency and improve depression symptoms. Less than optimal intake of selenium may have adverse effects on psychological function, even in the absence of signs of frank selenium deficiency. In a preliminary trial of healthy young men, consumption of a high-selenium diet (226.5 mcg selenium per day) was associated with improved mood (i.e., decreased confusion, depression, anxiety, and uncertainty), compared to consumption of a low-selenium diet (62.6 mcg selenium per day.) In a double-blind trial, people who had a low selenium intake experienced greater improvement in depression symptoms after selenium supplementation (100 mcg per day) than did people with adequate selenium intake, suggesting that low-level selenium deficiency may contribute to depression. |
2 Stars St. John’s Wort 600 to 1,200 mg daily of a standardized herbal extract containing of 0.3% hypericin, after consulting with a qualified healthcare professional | St. John’s wort can help with mild to moderate depression—but talk to your doctor first as St. John's wort can interact with certain medications. Caution: It is likely that there are many drug interactions with St. John's wort that have not yet been identified. St. John's wort stimulates a drug-metabolizing enzyme (cytochrome P450 3A4) that metabolizes at least 50% of the drugs on the market. Therefore, it could potentially cause a number of drug interactions that have not yet been reported. People taking any medication should consult with a doctor or pharmacist before taking St. John's wort. St. John’s wort extracts are among the leading medicines used in Germany by medical doctors for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Using St. John’s wort extract can significantly relieve the symptoms of depression. People taking St. John’s wort show an improvement in mood and ability to carry out their daily routine. Symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, exhaustion, and poor sleep also decrease.St. John’s wort extract has been compared to the prescription tricyclic antidepressants imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), fluoxetine (Prozac®), and maprotiline (Ludiomil). The improvement in symptoms of mild to moderate depression was similar, with notably fewer side effects, in people taking St. John’s wort. In a double-blind trial using standard amounts of fluoxetine (Prozac)—20 mg per day—St. John’s wort extract in the amount of 400 mg twice daily was equally effective at relieving depression in people aged 60–80 years. Another trial found that 250 mg of St. John’s wort extract two times per day was also as effective as 20 mg of fluoxetine in treating adults with mild to moderate depression. In both trials comparing St. John’s wort to fluoxetine, there were far fewer side effects reported by people taking St. John’s wort. One clinical trial compared a higher amount of the St. John’s wort extract LI 160 (1,800 mg per day) with a higher amount of imipramine (150 mg per day) in more severely depressed people. Again, the improvement was virtually the same for both groups with far fewer side effects for the St. John’s wort group. While this may point to St. John’s wort as a possible treatment for more severe cases of depression, this treatment should only be pursued under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Two well-publicized double-blind studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concluded that St. John's wort is not an effective treatment for depression. However, each of these studies had potential flaws. In the first study, 900–1,200 mg of St. John's wort per day was slightly more effective than a placebo, as assessed by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Although the remission rate was significantly greater with St. John's wort than with placebo, only 14.3% of the patients who received the herb went into remission, causing the authors of the report to question St. John's wort's efficacy. However, the 4.9% remission rate in the placebo group was far below the placebo response rate seen in other studies of depression. That finding suggests that many of the patients recruited for this study would have been unlikely to respond to any treatment. In the second JAMA study, depressed patients were given one of three treatments: St. John's wort, placebo, or an antidepressant medication with proven efficacy (e.g., sertraline; Zoloft). Although St. John's wort was no more effective than the placebo, by many measures neither was sertraline. The relatively poor outcome with sertraline makes one wonder whether the design of the study, or the criteria used to select participants, may have somehow skewed the results to make St. John's wort appear less effective than it really is. Despite these two negative studies, the bulk of the scientific evidence indicates that St. John's wort is an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. Recent European trials have successfully treated mild to moderate depression using 500 to 1,050 mg of St. John’s wort per day. As an antidepressant, St. John’s wort should be taken for four to six weeks before judging its effectiveness. |
2 Stars Vitamin B6 (Premenstrual Syndrome) Take under medical supervision: 100 to 300 mg daily | Several studies indicate that supplementing with vitamin B6 helps alleviate depression, including depression associated with PMS. Oral contraceptives can deplete the body of vitamin B6, a nutrient needed for maintenance of normal mental functioning. Double-blind research shows that women who are depressed and who have become depleted of vitamin B6 while taking oral contraceptives typically respond to vitamin B6 supplementation. In one trial, 20 mg of vitamin B6 were taken twice per day. Some evidence suggests that people who are depressed—even when not taking the oral contraceptive—are still more likely to be B6 deficient than people who are not depressed. Several clinical trials also indicate that vitamin B6 supplementation helps alleviate depression associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS), although the research remains inconsistent. Many doctors suggest that women who have depression associated with PMS take 100–300 mg of vitamin B6 per day—a level of intake that requires supervision by a doctor. |
2 Stars Vitamin C 500 mg twice a day | In a double-blind study, the combination of vitamin C and an antidepressant drug (fluoxetine) was significantly more effective than the antidepressant alone. In a double-blind study of Egyptian children with depression, the combination of vitamin C (500 mg twice a day) and an antidepressant drug (fluoxetine) was significantly more effective than fluoxetine alone. |
2 Stars Vitamin D 400 to 800 IU daily | Some studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin D leads to improved mood. Blood levels of vitamin D (measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D) have been found to be significantly lower in people with depression than in healthy people. Vitamin D supplementation may be associated with elevations in mood. In a double-blind trial, healthy people were given 400–800 IU per day of vitamin D3, or no vitamin D3, for five days during late winter. Results showed that vitamin D3 significantly enhanced positive mood and there was some evidence of a reduction in negative mood compared to a placebo. In another double-blind trial, people without depression took 600 IU of vitamin D along with 1,000 mg of calcium, or a placebo, twice daily for four weeks. Compared to the placebo, combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation produced significant elevations in mood that persisted at least one week after supplementation was discontinued. In still another double-blind trial, the combination of 1,500 IU per day of vitamin D and the antidepressant drug fluoxetine was more effective than fluoxetine alone in the treatment of major depression. |
1 Star Calcium Refer to label instructions | Taken with vitamin D, calcium significantly improved mood in people without depression in one study. Caution: Calcium supplements should be avoided by prostate cancer patients. In one double-blind trial, people without depression took 600 IU of vitamin D along with 1,000 mg of calcium, or a placebo, twice daily for four weeks. Compared to the placebo, combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation produced significant elevations in mood that persisted at least one week after supplementation was discontinued. |
1 Star Chromium Refer to label instructions | In a few case reports, chromium has improved mood in people with a type of depression called dysthymic disorder. There have been five case reports of chromium supplementation (200–400 mcg per day) significantly improving mood in people with a type of depression called dysthymic disorder who were also taking the antidepressant drug sertraline (Zoloft). These case reports, while clearly limited and preliminary in scope, warrant further research to better understand the benefits, if any, of chromium supplementation in people with depression. |
1 Star Damiana Refer to label instructions | Damiana has traditionally been used to treat people with depression. |
1 Star Folic Acid See a doctor for evaluation | Taking folic acid can help correct deficiencies associated with depression. A deficiency of the B vitamin folic acid can also disturb mood. A large percentage of depressed people have low folic acid levels. Folic acid supplements appear to improve the effects of lithium in treating manic-depressives. Depressed alcoholics report feeling better with large amounts of a modified form of folic acid. Anyone suffering from chronic depression should be evaluated for possible folic acid deficiency by a doctor. Those with abnormally low levels of folic acid are sometimes given short-term, high amounts of folic acid (10 mg per day). |
1 Star NADH Refer to label instructions | One study suggested that supplementing with NADH may help people with depression. An isolated preliminary trial suggests the supplement NADH may help people with depression. Controlled trials are needed, however, before any conclusions can be drawn. |
1 Star Phosphatidylserine Refer to label instructions | Phosphatidylserine affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain related to mood and has been shown in research to reduce the severity of depression. Phosphatidylserine (PS), a natural substance derived from the amino acid serine, affects the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain related to mood. In a preliminary trial, elderly women suffering from depression who were given 300 mg of PS per day for 30 days experienced, on average, a 70% reduction in the severity of their depression. Most research has been conducted with PS derived from bovine (cow) brain tissue. Due to concerns about the possibility of humans contracting infectious diseases (such as Creutzfeld-Jakob or “mad cow” disease), bovine PS is not available in the United States. The soy- and bovine-derived PS, are not structurally identical, and there is evidence that soy-derived PS may not have the same beneficial effects as bovine PS. |
1 Star Pumpkin Refer to label instructions | Pumpkin seeds contain L-tryptophan, and for this reason have been suggested to help remedy depression. Pumpkin seeds contain L-tryptophan, and for this reason have been suggested to help remedy depression. However, research is needed before pumpkin seeds can be considered for this purpose. It is unlikely the level of L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds would be sufficient to relieve depression. |
1 Star Vervain Refer to label instructions | Vervain is a traditional herb used for depression. Vervain is a traditional herb for depression; however, there is no research to validate this use. |
1 Star Yohimbe Refer to label instructions | Yohimbine (the active component of yohimbe) inhibits monoamine oxidase and therefore may be beneficial in treating depression. |
1 Star Zinc Refer to label instructions | In one study, the addition of a zinc supplement enhanced the beneficial effects of antidepressants. In a double-blind trial, the addition of a zinc supplement (25 mg per day) enhanced the beneficial effect of antidepressant medication in patients suffering from depression. The average dietary intake of zinc among participants in this study (7.6 mg per day) was below the Recommended Dietary Allowance, so it is not known whether these findings would apply to people consuming adequate amounts of zinc. |
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Last Review: 06-08-2015
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