Pathologically afraid of germs, burnt out, asocial; these are just some manifestations of mental illness. Many people today swing between wellness and distress and its okay to have those days too. Closer examination tells that our mental wellbeing rests on four pillars. Biological, psychological, genetic, and environmental. Anything that affects mood, personality or behavior falls under the mental health bracket. Interestingly, something that’s overlooked is that vitamin deficiency has been linked to mental illnesses. It is the most common cause many times. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals compromises brain functions and induces symptoms of depression, irritability or anxiety. 

With its population, India has a high prevalence of mental health conditions. 

 Why is conversation on mental health so important?

• Today, about 56 million Indian population lives with depression and close to 28 million suffers from anxiety disorder alone.
• Roughly, 1 in 4 people suffer from some form of mental conditions.
• A 2016 National Mental Health Survey found that about 14% of India’s population could do with mental health interventions. 
• In 2017, mental disorders were the second leading cause for years lived with disabilities.

What exactly is the link between vitamin deficiency and mental health problems?

We all know vitamins are essential for physical health. But how exactly do they affect the human brain? Certain vitamins, if found deficient in the human body, lead to mental health issues. Here are the details:

Vitamin D: Production of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine is regulated by Vitamin D. It is known to boost mood, relieve stress and lack of it is known to cause mood changes in the least.

Vitamin B: It is associated with the nervous and circulatory system.  Vitamin B converts glucose or blood sugar to energy. Without this, the brain may not have enough energy to support normal functioning. Adequate levels of B complex boost mental health and a deficiency could affect mood, memory and eventually cause impairment and dementia. Also linked are irritability and insomnia. Another reason to keep your Vitamin B level in place.

Folic Acid: It helps the body make RBCs and deals with mood management. Lower levels of folate are linked to people with depression. 

Magnesium: Agitation, confusion, hallucinations and insomnia are associated with deficiency of magnesium. 

Omega-3: These fatty acids are required for mental sharpness and positive mood. 

A Vitamin blood panel is the best bet to find out if deficiencies are the reason for feeling out of sorts. Important to note here is that nutrition alone cannot replace intervention therapies like medication and psychotherapy.