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SPECIAL FOCUS

Vitamin B

and Depression

Millennials and depression Neurological symptoms associated with vitamin B
The rapid growth of technology and keen competitions nowadays are deficiency
main factors that put a lot of pressures and stress on the people in Vitamin B deficiency is associated with dysfunction of the metabolic
the millennial generation. For those who have been in the stressful system, endocrine system, and neurological system; all could
situation for a long time and cannot handle their stress well, their contribute to depression.
risks of becoming depressed are higher. According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), depression is the leading cause of Vitamins supplementation in food products
disability worldwide with over 300 million sufferers . In Thailand, The speed-up of technology and competition automatically determine
1
there are more than 1.5 million people diagnosed with depression the lifestyles of people these days. Many activities have to be done
and many people are at risks . against the clock. With limited amount of time, It is not easy to have
2
Brain chemical imbalance is one of the brain malfunctions that proper meals that provide adequate nutritional needs per day. As
can lead to depression. The brain is a vital organ that controls all a result, chances of people with vitamin and mineral deficiencies
systems of the body, especially being the center of the nervous which may lead to NCDs and other illnesses increase. Nowadays,
system. The efficiency of the brain decreases as we age which food industry can easily produce processed foods and beverages
is linked to several neurological disorders including depression, with micronutrients added. These fortified foods help consumers to
anxiety, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Other factors that conveniently get enough essential micronutrients in a day. Vitamin
contribute to these neurological symptoms include genetic factors B fortification is popular for beverage and dairy products. The target
and malnutrition. group is those who have specific health concerns. This is a niche
market that has great potential to become a premium mass market
How do various types of Vitamin Bs get involved in the future.
with the brain and depression?
Nutrition is an important factor that directly affects our brain
health. Micronutrients, which are vitamins and minerals, are
essential components that are required for maintaining the proper เอกสารอ้างอิง/References
brain functions. Poor intake of Vitamin B can lead to emotional 1 Prof. George N. Christodoulou, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Athens,
dysregulation and neurotransmitter imbalance, which may lead Depression as a consequence of economic crisis, DEPRESSION: A Global
to depression. This Vitamin B and depression relationship is Crisis World Mental Health Day, October 10 (2012) 14-18.
2 Toranin Kongsook et al., The Prevalence of Major Depressive Disorders in
supported by several studies. For example, patients who suffer from Thailand: Results from the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders National Survey
hyperthyroidism and depression often display a deficiency in vitamin (2008).
B12 . In some cases, Vitamin B level test is used by physicians to aid 3 A. Jabbar, A. Yawar, S. Waseem, N. Islam, N. Ul Haque, L. Zuberi, et al.,
3
Vitamin B12 deficiency common in primary hypothyroidism, JPMA J. Pak.
with mental disorder diagnosis. Moreover, Vitamin B is sometimes Med. Assoc. 58 (2008) 258-261.
combined with other medications and used to treat patients with 4 K. Mikkelsen, L. Stojanovska, M. Prakash, V. Apostolopoulos, The effects
depression. Therefore, Vitamin B supplementation is considered of vitamin B on the immune/cytokine network and their involvement in
as an efficient way to nourish and maintain your brain’s function. depression, Maturitas. 96 (2017) 58 - 71.

34 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND JUL 2018