Supplementation with increased amounts of folic acid has shown to drastically increase the condition of patients with depression. Low levels of folic acid were detected in up to 38% of adults who suffer from depression. In a recent trial involving 20 elderly patients with depression treatment with folate supplements were found to markedly improve the effects of standard antidepressants.

There are other benefits of folic acid. Researchers also pointed out that chronic diseases, certain cancers, alcoholism, and poor dieting are all capable of leading to a folate deficiency and possibly depression. In addition, folate helps the synthesis between adenine and thymine – basic nucleic acids that make up our genes and is required for the proper metabolism of amino acids that are found in animal proteins. Pregnant women use Folic Acid supplements to aid the cell replication of the fetus and reducing their risk of giving birth to a baby with neural tube defects. Further studies showed that Alzheimer patients also had lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 in their bodies than patients who did not have Alzheimer’s.

The benefits of vitamin B however, are extensive. Not only are they known to improve and stabilize the mood, but they are also capable of improving the quality of our hair, skin, and nails, and our bodies ability to turn food into energy. When treating depression with folic acid, try supplementing with vitamin B complex as well.

The healthy dose of synthetic folic acid for adults is up to 1000 micrograms per day – this will help treat depression patients. Women using folic acid to prevent neural tube defects during their pregnancy should take 400 micrograms per day.

Make sure you are getting enough folic acid in your diet in order to balance your mood and keep your body healthy.