Nutritional Interventions in Clinical Depression

Depression is one of the leading causes of mental disability worldwide and a significant public health problem in the United States. Individuals with depression have lower quality of life, diminished role functioning, increased comorbidity, and increased mortality. Although psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are well-validated treatment options for clinical depression, nutritional supplements may be another means of alleviating depressive symptoms while limiting adverse effects. Nutritional supplements can be utilized in tandem with preexisting therapeutic regimens, or as stand-alone therapies. Omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins (folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6), S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and magnesium have been of interest in the treatment of depression for several decades. This article reviews the literature investigating these nutritional interventions for the treatment of clinical depression, with a particular focus on pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical research.