Does vitamin B12 help with depression?

Vitamin B-12 and other B vitamins play a role in producing brain chemicals that affect mood and other brain functions. Low levels of B-12 and other B vitamins such as vitamin B-6 and folate may be linked to depression.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


Can vitamin B12 help with anxiety and depression?

However, when it comes to vitamin B for anxiety, vitamin B12 is especially powerful for managing your mood. For instance, there's a strong correlation[4] between low levels of B12 and increased rates of anxiety and depression.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on yourheights.com


Is vitamin B12 good for mental health?

When Vitamin B12 and folate supplements are combined, they enhance the production of serotonin and dopamine. The two vitamins both play important roles in regulating and maintaining a good mental health state. It is important to note that older people are more susceptible to deficiency of vitamin B12.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


Does vitamin B 12 improve mood?

Vitamin B12 is needed for the production of serotonin, a chemical responsible for regulating mood. Vitamin B12 supplements may help improve mood in people with an existing deficiency.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Does B12 deficiency cause depression?

Not getting enough vitamin B12 to the point of a deficiency can cause a variety of serious symptoms including depression, joint pain, and fatigue.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms (ex. Depression), Why symptoms happen, Schilling’s test, Treatment



What vitamin is a natural antidepressant?

B vitamins, such as folate and vitamins B6 and B12, may help treat depression.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Does B12 affect anxiety?

B vitamins are a group of eight different nutrients that work together to manage many processes in the body, including stress levels. A 2017 study found that the participants who had lower blood levels of vitamin B12 were more likely to have depression or anxiety.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com


How long does it take for B12 vitamins to start working?

It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


What are the symptoms of low B12?

Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.
  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • lack of energy (lethargy)
  • breathlessness.
  • feeling faint.
  • headaches.
  • pale skin.
  • noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


What vitamin deficiency can cause depression?

Low levels of B-12 and other B vitamins such as vitamin B-6 and folate may be linked to depression. Low levels of a vitamin can result from eating a poor diet or not being able to absorb the vitamins you consume.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


Should you take B12 everyday?

Safety and side effects. When taken at appropriate doses, vitamin B-12 supplements are generally considered safe. While the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12 for adults is 2.4 micrograms, higher doses have been found to be safe. Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine ...
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


Can you take vitamin B12 with antidepressants?

B Vitamins: Vitamins in this family (most commonly B-6 and B-12) are essential to brain health and energy. There are no specific warnings about taking anti-anxiety or depression medication and B vitamins.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on spbh.org


When should I take B12 morning or night?

As a general rule of thumb, take your B vitamins in the morning or with a meal. Vitamin B12, for example, should definitely be taken in the morning. This is because it is important for energy metabolism, which may interrupt your sleep if taken at night.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on whentheygetolder.co.uk


Can low B12 affect mental health?

B12 deficiencies are often a root cause of neurological, psychiatric and cognitive issues. Having a B12 deficiency puts you at risk for developing depression and anxiety, fatigue, and can worsen hypothyroid and other health concerns.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on victoriaalbina.com


Can too much B12 cause mood swings?

Some of the negative side effects of vitamin B overdose include mood swings, restlessness, depression, and panic attacks. Mood swings can worsen in people who suffer from paranoia, confusion, or mental fogginess; due to the high doses of vitamin B complex.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicoverhospitals.in


What medications should not be taken with B12?

Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin B12, including: colchicine, metformin, extended-release potassium products, antibiotics (such as gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), anti-seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), medications to treat heartburn (such as H2 blockers ...
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


What is the most common cause of B12 deficiency?

Pernicious anaemia is the most common cause of vitamin B12 deficiency in the UK. Pernicious anaemia is an autoimmune condition that affects your stomach. An autoimmune condition means your immune system, the body's natural defence system that protects against illness and infection, attacks your body's healthy cells.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


How can I raise my B12 levels fast?

To increase the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, eat more of foods that contain it, such as:
  1. Beef, liver, and chicken.
  2. Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
  3. Fortified breakfast cereal.
  4. Low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  5. Eggs.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


Is it OK to take 1000 mcg B12 daily?

Since B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, it's generally considered safe, even at high doses. No Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been established for B12, due to its low level of toxicity. UL refers to the maximum daily dose of a vitamin unlikely to cause adverse side effects in the general population.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


What are the benefits of B12?

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that helps the body create DNA, nourishes the brain and nervous system, and assists with the formation of healthy red blood cells. The nutrient occurs naturally in meat, fish, and dairy products, and can be created in a laboratory.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


What is the best vitamin for stress and anxiety?

The bottom line

Research suggests that certain dietary supplements may help reduce anxiety symptoms, including magnesium, vitamin D, saffron, omega-3s, chamomile, L-theanine, vitamin C, curcumin, CBD, and multivitamins.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Can B12 cause weight gain?

Despite the numerous processes in which vitamin B12 is involved, there's little evidence to suggest that it has any influence on weight gain or loss.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


What is a natural happy pill?

Natural antidepressants include SAM-e, St John's Wort, and omega-3-fatty acids, among others. If a person thinks they have symptoms of depression, they should speak to a doctor before trying any natural antidepressants.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com


What can you take instead of antidepressants?

Several treatments can be used instead of antidepressants for treating depression and other mental health conditions.
  • Talking therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy. ...
  • Exercise. ...
  • Self-help groups. ...
  • Lithium. ...
  • Electric shock treatment.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


What is the 3 3 3 rule for anxiety?

Follow the 3-3-3 rule.

Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on adultmentalhealth.org
Previous question
What jobs robots can't do?