Is it possible that a lack of vitamin E can play a role in depression? Such a connection is indicated in a preliminary Australian study.
Researchers at Wollongong University in Australia set out to study if there was any truth to several reports of a connection between a lack of vitamin E and depression. At first, they studied the blood levels of vitamin E in 49 depressive patients - the average level was 4.7 mmol/l. This is far below the normal level of 12 - 42 mmol/l.
The direct conclusion might be that depressive individuals eat a poor diet. However, a systematic questioning did not reveal any such connection - depressive people ate the same as anybody else.
And this is the status quo as of now. If we are to believe the Australians, the case must be that depressive people either have an increased need for vitamin E or do not have a very effective absorption of vitamin E from their intestines.
Perhaps more confidence should be placed in other, larger studies. These studies have also demonstrated a low content of vitamin E in depressive patients, but, to a varying degree, they have also found a natural explanation: In one study of more than 400 depressive patients in Rotterdam, for example, it turned out that they ate too little or had an inadequate diet.
Vitamin C and selenium
However, the studies are interesting for other reasons. They have discovered a similar connection with regards to both selenium and vitamin C. Both substances are antioxidants, just like vitamin E. For example, the American researcher in the field of vitamin C, Mark Levine, discovered that during studies involving students who were restricted to a diet with extremely small amounts of vitamin C, they became irritable and tired, but once they were given more vitamin C, their mood lifted.
The same result has previously been recorded with selenium. In a British study, depressive patients were given either selenium (100 mcg. a day) or placebo. A general mood improvement was recorded - particularly reduced anxiety - as the blood selenium level increased day by day. A similar connection has been observed in alcoholics and patients going through dialysis treatment; individuals in which a lack of selenium will easily occur.
In other words, from more than one side, some kind of connection between depression and a lack of antioxidants is suspected. For the time being, there is more basis for speculations than actual evidence, but if your spirits are low, there could be no harm in making sure you do get enough antioxidants.
References:
Owen AJ et al. Low plasma vitamin E levels in major depression: Diet or disease? Eur J Clin Nutr 2005;59:304-6.
Tiemeier H et al. Vitamin E and depressive symptoms are not related. The Rotterdam Study. J Affect Disord 2002;72:79-83.
Maes M et al. Lower seriúm vitamin E concentration in major depression. Another marker of lowered antioxidant defense in that disease. J Affect Disord 2000;58:241-6.
Benton D et al. The impact of selenium supplementation on mood. Biol Psychiatry 1991;29:1092-8.
