Does Niacin Deficiency Cause Depression?

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3 or nicotinic acid, is one of 8 B-complex vitamins used by the human body. Much like the other B Vitamins, Niacin helps to convert fats, carbohydrates and protein into fuel for the body, and plays a role in skin, hair, eye and liver health. Niacin also supports proper nervous system function.

How Is Niacin Related to Depression?

Additionally, Niacin is responsible for helping the body make stress-related hormones in the adrenal glands and various other parts of the body. When Niacin (B3) levels are insufficient, the body is unable to produce these stress related hormones, which is thought to contribute to depression.

Symptoms and Causes of Niacin Deficiency

Severe Niacin deficiency is relatively uncommon in the developed world. Extreme deficiency can result in a condition called Pellagra, which is characterized by cracked skin, diarrhea and dementia. Mild deficiency, which is still somewhat rare in developed countries, often results in fatigue, vomiting and depression. In the US, alcoholism is thought to be the primary cause of Niacin deficiency, which may contribute to the link between alcoholism and depression. A very poor diet can also lead to deficiency, although this is far more common in third world countries.

Taking Niacin for Depression

Taking Niacin for depression is certainly effective if B3 deficiency is in fact the root cause. As with most deficiencies, taking a supplement that remedies the issues will greatly improve the problems associated with that deficiency.

However, for a complicated issue such as depression, there are a wide variety of possible causes. While Niacin and depression are related, so are various other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B12 deficiency, for example, is strongly associated to fatigue and depression, as is vitamin D deficiency.

Given the large array of possible cause of depression, it's important to consider all of the possibilities. Perhaps Niacin deficiency is the problem, is which case supplementation should greatly improve the condition. Perhaps another vitamin or mineral deficiency is responsible. Perhaps the experienced depression isn't nutrition related.

Steps to Take

Begin by identifying some likely causes, address those, and see if the condition improves. Try a Niacin supplement and see if you see better. Make sure you're not deficient in B12 or vitamin D. Takes steps to improve your diet, making sure to get plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and dairy products. Avoid junk food, excess sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oils and refined grains. See if the condition improves.

Finally, consult a medical professional if you are unable to remedy the problem yourself.

For more information make sure to check out the vitamin source website and specifically this the article Sources of vitamin D.

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How To Recognise The Difference Between Depression And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Is being depressed the same as having chronic fatigue syndrome? Many people including some professionals still believe that chronic fatigue syndrome is a mental health condition, that it is all in the sufferers head, so for this reason they relate it closely with depression.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression are in fact poles apart and two completely different conditions. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is finally being recognised as a physical condition, only being accepted as such by major health professionals around the world in the last ten years or so. The UK government accepted Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a physical illness officially in 2001 but there are still many doctors and health care workers who disbelieve this and are still diagnosing and treating the condition as depression.

Here is a list of some of the symptoms experienced by sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as you will see "Depression" can be a very real symptom, depression though is only one symptom of many, most of which, you will see are physical symptoms.

Extreme exhaustion following physical or mental exertion - a sufferer will feel a lot more fatigued than the normal person would in the same circumstancesFlu like symptomsRestless Legs Syndrome - having to move the lower legs to gain reliefPain in joints and musclesIncreased risk of cold and virus infectionsHeadaches - which occur regularly and are more intense than usualDepressionStomach PainConstipation and/or DiarrhoeaDizzinessExtreme Insomnia

These are the most common symptoms that sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will experience. Each person is different and will have different symptoms than the next, some will only have some of these symptoms whilst others may well suffer all of them and more as well.

To date no actual cure for this condition has been found, due mainly to the fact it was always thought to be psychological condition and people were diagnosed wrongly and treated for depression.

Research is now being carried out into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome which will hopefully result in a cure for this condition being found.

For now at least, most people with this condition will be diagnosed properly and treated correctly.

If you suffer from any or all of the above symptoms and have been told "it is in your head" or that you are suffering from depression then you need to re-visit your family doctor and discuss this with him or her. There is a lot more information out there now and most doctors will recognise the distinct difference between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and depression.

Andrew Tudor Jones is the owner of http://www.anxietydepressionselfhelp.com/, a website dedicated to anyone who suffers from anxiety and depression.The website offers valuable information on these conditions as well as 2 e-books which can be downloaded for free and a Blog,updated on a regular basis with relevant information. You can connect with Andrew on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/selfhelpforanxietyanddepression.

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