Vitamins B6, B12 May Protect Against Depression in Older Adults
High total intakes of vitamins B6 and B12 are associated with a lower risk for depressive symptoms over time in community-residing older adults, according to the results of a cohort study reported online June 2 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The Chicago Health and Aging project is an ongoing, population-based study in adults at least 65 years old. A sample of 3503 adults from this cohort, of whom 59% were African American, completed a food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment. The 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale was used to determine incident depression, defined as 4 or more depressive symptoms. The association between vitamin intake and depression was examined with logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations.
After adjustment for age, sex, race, education, income, and use of antidepressant medications, higher total vitamin intakes including supplements were associated with a lower risk for incident depression during follow-up for up to 12 years. Odds of depressive symptoms were 2% lower per year for each additional 10 mg of vitamin B6 and an additional 10 ?g of vitamin B12. Further adjustment for smoking, alcohol intake, widowhood, caregiver status, cognitive function, physical disability, and medical conditions did not abolish these associations. Food intakes of these vitamins or folate were not associated with depressive symptoms.
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