[PHNUTR-L] Lower Levels of Folate, B-12, Higher Levels of Homocysteine Found Among Depressed Elderly

[Kathrynne Holden]

Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect my own
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	Lower Levels of Folate and Vitamin B-12 and Higher Levels of 
Homocysteine Found Among Depressed Elderly
http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: 	"Correlation of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine plasma 
levels with depression in an elderly Greek population," Dimopoulos N, 
Piperi C, et al, Clin Biochem, 2007; 40(9-10): 604-608. (Address: 
Laboratory of Biological Chemistry, University of Athens Medical School, 
M. Asias 75, Goudi 11527, Athens, Greece. E-mail: dmpnikos at yahoo.gr ).

Summary: 	In a study involving 66 elderly subjects over 60 years of age, 
subjects with depression were found to have lower plasma levels of 
folate and vitamin B12 and higher plasma levels of homocysteine. Half 
the subjects had depression (n=33) and the other half served as healthy 
controls (n=33). All subjects were clinically evaluated and levels of 
plasma folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine were measured. Results 
found significantly lower levels of folate and vitamin B12 and 
significantly higher levels of homocysteine in the depressed subjects. 
There were no significant differences in chronic diseases (such as 
stroke, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes) between 
the two groups. Additional research needs to be carried out to assess 
the impact of supplementation with folate and vitamin B12 on depression 
in the elderly.
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian"  http://www.parkinson.org/
"Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease"
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