Evidence supporting the use of: Folate
For the health condition: Depression

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Folate (vitamin B9) has scientific support for its use as an adjunctive treatment in depression, especially in individuals with low folate levels or specific genetic polymorphisms (such as MTHFR mutations) that impair folate metabolism. Multiple clinical studies and meta-analyses suggest that people with depression often have lower folate levels compared to the general population. Low folate status has been associated with poorer response to standard antidepressants and greater severity of depressive symptoms. Supplementing with folate—particularly in the form of L-methylfolate, the bioactive form—has been shown in randomized controlled trials to enhance the efficacy of antidepressant medications in some patients, especially those with treatment-resistant depression or genetic impairments in folate metabolism.

However, the evidence is not universally strong. The benefit appears most pronounced in individuals with documented folate deficiency or specific genetic profiles. For the general population of people with depression, results are mixed, with some studies showing modest benefit and others showing little or no effect. Consequently, clinical guidelines sometimes recommend folate supplementation as an adjunct for certain patients with depression, but it is not considered a first-line treatment. Overall, while folate has a scientific basis for use in depression, particularly as an adjunct in specific subgroups, its efficacy does not reach the level of standard antidepressant therapies.

More about folate
More about Depression

Other ingredients used for Depression

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnosine
l-glycine
l-methionine
l-phenylalanine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
moringa
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic acids
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
tongkat ali
almond fruit
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
whey protein
zinc
suma
gastrodia
mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
cistanche
dodder
morinda
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
hypothalamus
cocoa
thyroid substance
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Arginine Creatine
Ardisia
Angelica
Apigenin
Albizia
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteracea
Algal protein
Aniracetam
Amor seco
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Broussonetia
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Biopterin
Butea monosperma
Beef liver
Bacopin
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bee products
bacoside
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Biogenic amine
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Caryophyllene
Common Monkey Flower
Crocin
Clary sage
Catalpol
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese Raisintree
Curcumen
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
Chocolate
Creatine
Curcuma
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
cola nut
Canscora
Cannabichromene
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DHEA
Devil's Club
Dopamine
Egg
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Glycine
jasmine
Little ironweed
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut
yohimbine
Zucchini