Research
Micronutrients & recovery
Specific nutraceuticals (SAMe, omega-3, methylfolate, Vitamin D) show efficacy as adjunctive therapies for depression, while others (zinc, folic acid, vitamin C, tryptophan) have limited support.
If considering supplements for depression, focus on those with stronger evidence like SAMe, omega-3 (high EPA), methylfolate, and Vitamin D as adjuncts to standard care. Be skeptical of claims for zinc, vitamin C, or tryptophan as primary treatments.
GoodQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
A more recent systematic review and meta-analysis of nutraceuticals as adjunctive therapies for depression confirmed the efficacy of SAMe, omega 3, methylfolate and Vitamin D, but provided only limited support for zinc, folic acid, vitamin C, and tryptophan
Why this rating
Based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses, though the paper notes heterogeneity and methodological issues in the broader nutraceutical literature.
Source
Nutritional Psychiatry: Where to Next?
Felice N. Jacka · EBioMedicine · 2017
narrative_reviewCited 240×
Read the paper This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →