The Era of Mental Health and the Role of Multivitamins

Healthful Vitality | 06/24/2021 | By Dr. Gunjan Chauhan | The Era of Mental Health and the Role of Multivitamins

Mental health is associated with an individual’s well-being, and diet plays a vital role. We explore the era of mental health and the role of multivitamins. In today’s era, healthy food intake directly affects our overall physical and mental health [1]. The dietary profile has been linked with the brain’s composition, structure, and function. Additionally, foods and multivitamins supplements also influence endogenous hormones and neural development. Indeed, this factor shows that our diet affects our inflammatory response and restores cognitive function [2].

Recent research shows growing evidence that a healthy and balanced diet not only helps maintain our mental health. However, an adequate supplementation of multivitamins and minerals also plays a crucial role in preserving the brain’s activities [3].

Moreover, studies show that essential multivitamins for men include vitamins B12, D, and C. However, the best multivitamins for women are vitamins A, D, E, and B-complex. These are essentially mental health multivitamins with the following roles:

• Involved in Immune function
• Neurotransmitter production
• Development of brain and nerve cells
• Prevention of free radicals
• Act as an antioxidant
• Serve as a source of energy

Deficiencies in vitamins and influence on mental health

At this level, recent studies mention that inadequate level of essential nutrients especially vitamins and minerals, impair cognition and mental health [4].

• Deficiency of vitamin B12 leads to mental depression, poor memory, fatigue, lethargy, and is associated with mental disorders such as mania and psychosis [5].
• Deficiency of thiamine results in Beri-Beri which causes CNS symptoms such as confusion, loss of memory and Wernicke’s encephalopathy.
• Deficiency of folic acid can impair neurodevelopment in utero and in infancy. Its lack in adulthood is strongly linked with a higher risk of depression [6].
• Deficiency of niacin causes pellagra. This can cause insomnia, depression, headache, disorientation, and memory loss [7].

Mental health and the role of multivitamins

a. Role in stress management

Stress is caused when the body’s equilibrium gets disturbed, which may result in changes in the body. Besides stress for a prolonged duration influences the quality of life (QoL) negatively. Notably, it is the root cause of several chronic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease [8]. Indeed, it can lead to several biological changes, such as releasing cortisol and activating immune cells (neutrophils) that eventually produce free radicals [9]. Not to mention, stress is the predominant reason leading to the development of personality disorders

Therefore, multivitamins play an important role in the management of mental depression and mental disorders. Here, are the key aspects:

• Studies have shown that nutritional imbalance, and insufficient vitamin intake may result in impairment of stress hormones and inflammatory actions [8].

• A randomized controlled trial showed that adequate supplementation of folate and magnesium oxide had a positive impact on subjects experiencing stress and anxiety as it stabilized the pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles [10]. It creates mental awareness.

• In another study, healthy subjects reported less stress when given magnesium supplements [11]. This shows that multivitamin supplementation prevents increase in cortisol level and prevent excessive burnout.

b. Role in reducing anxiety

Anxiety disorders are one of the most predominant disorders that disturb mental peace and health. The common signs and symptoms include fear, worry, and a sense of being overwhelmed.

Additionally, stressful situation aggravates anxiety that can present in panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social anxiety disorder. Indeed, it can severely compromise well-being and quality of life (QoL).

Evidence shows that supplementation of multivitamins and minerals promotes the anxiolytic effects of drugs:

• A clinical trial indicated the importance of omega-3 PUFAs in the management of psychotic disorders and improved mood, anxiety and cognitive behavior [12].

• Nmethyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is antagonized by magnesium and being a gammaaminobutyric acid receptor agonist, magnesium diminishes anxiety levels as observed in animal models [13].

• A study reported that magnesium deficiency increased anxiety-like behavior in animal models [14].

• Vitamin E deficiency caused a significant alteration in brain glutamate levels in murine models. During pregnancy, one should maintain an appropriate amount of Vitamin E as its deficiency causes an increase in anxiety and stress in later life [14] 

c. Role in sleep disorders

Undoubtedly, sleep is an integral component required for the effective functioning of physical and mental health. Notably, sleep disorders such as insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea can disrupt normal circadian rhythm, which can influence an individual’s health status.

Studies show that sleep quality and sleep duration are directly affected by dietary components [15]. Therefore, the maintenance of proper nutrients requires adequate sleep.

• Vitamin C and Vitamin D have been linked to positively influence sleep quality.

• Magnesium and iron regulate the sleep quality and provide necessary source of energy to maintain sleep/wake patterns in a balanced manner [16].

Mental health multivitamins

a. Vitamin E and Neuroinflammation

• Supplementation of Alpha-tocopherol is linked with regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Particularly, in disorders where the nervous system response is compromised such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) or anxiety disorders (AD).
• Another key point is that the clinical significance of alpha-tocopherol in neuroinflammation is yet to be established as majority of the information is obtained from preclinical trials.
• Deficiency of Vitamin C and E in animal models resulted in a higher expression of inflammatory-related genes in animal models. This indicates that deficiency of these vitamins causes neuroinflammation in the brain [17].

b. Magnesium and mental health

• Magnesium plays an important role in regulation of immune cells, including their differentiation, proliferation, functioning, and movement.

• It is also required for controlling immune cell responses. Studies conducted in animal models have shown positive impact of magnesium in reducing neuroinflammation [18].

c. Folic Acid and mental depression

Research highlights that folate deficiency and an increased level of plasma homocysteine is observed in more than 30% of severely depressed patients [19].

• A higher homocysteine level demonstrates a failure of methylation of homocysteine to methionine. This element is a precursor of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), an essential component in different brain reactions, including proteins, neurotransmitters, and membrane phospholipids.

• SAM is also linked to affect mood and mental status. 

• Studies report that patients affected with OCD have altered levels of folate and homocysteine [20]. Hence, it is clearly evident that mental health is significantly influenced by intake of folic acid.

d. Vitamin D and mental disorders

• Adequate intake of vitamin D is associated with better attention, and improved memory performance particularly in older individuals [21].
• Few RCTs have investigated the effect of Vitamin D supplementation on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression and anxiety disorders.
• It was seen that a large portion of population lacks an adequate level of Vitamin D and therefore, it is of prime importance to maintain its level to prevent risk of neuropsychiatric disorders [22].

Concluding remarks

The central and peripheral nervous system functions are influenced by several factors, such as dietary intake, vitamin and mineral supplementation, systemic diseases, medical therapies, and genetic susceptibility.

In the last few years, a new concept of “Nutritional Psychiatry” has gained the attention of researchers to identify the role of specific nutrients required for mental health. This novel approach discusses the significance of supplements and their role in disease management.

Although current studies suggest clear associations between dietary habits and mental health, the underlying cellular mechanism involved in this process is unclear. Nevertheless, scientific evidence highlights the functional importance of multivitamins in a well-balanced diet. These essential components are required for the preservation of brain functions and well-being.

References

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Related Article: 10 Shocking Facts about Mental Health Conditions

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