Nutrition and depression are closely and undeniably linked, as suggested by growing evidence from neuropsychiatry researchers. According to a study reported in Neuropsychobiology, supplementation with nine vitamins, 10 times in excess of the normal recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for one year, improved mood in both men and women. The interesting part is that these mood changes after one year occurred even though the blood level of nine vitamins reached a plateau after 3 months. This improvement in mood was particularly associated with improved vitamin B2 and B6 status. In women, baseline vitamin B1 status was linked to poor mood, and improvement in mood after 3 months was associated with improved mood. Thiamine (vitamin B1) is known to modulate cognitive performance, particularly in the geriatric population. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayClinical studies have indicated that vitamin B12 (cynobalamin) delays the onset of signs of dementia (and blood abnormalities), if it is administered in a precise clinical time window, before the first symptoms appear. Cobalamin supplementation improves brain and cognitive functions in older adults; it often promotes the functioning of factors related to the frontal lobe, as well as the linguistic function of people with cognitive disorders. Adolescents who have a borderline level of vitamin B12 deficiency develop signs of cognitive changes. The vital role of folate in brain metabolic processes has been recognized by many researchers who have noted that depressive symptoms are the most common neuropsychiatric manifestation of folate deficiency. It has been observed that patients suffering from depression have blood folate levels that are, on average, 25% lower than healthy controls. Low folate levels have also been identified as a strong predisposing factor for poor outcomes with antidepressant therapy. It has been reported that a controlled study showed that 500 mcg of folic acid improves the effectiveness of antidepressant medications. The critical role of folate in brain metabolic pathways has been well recognized by various researchers who have noted that depressive symptoms are the most common neuropsychiatric manifestation of folate deficiency. It is not yet clear whether poor nutrition, as a symptom of depression, causes folate deficiency or whether primary folate deficiency produces depression and its symptoms. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayRandomized, controlled trials involving folate and B12 suggest that patients treated with 0.8 mg of folic acid per day or 0.4 mg of vitamin B12 per day will experience decreased symptoms of depression. Epidemiological evidence shows that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an 8%-14% increase in depression and a 50% increase in suicides; however, the causality and effectiveness of supplementation remain controversial awaiting confirmation through systematic review and meta-analysis.