Published: February 11, 2010

In a cross-sectional study involving 313 men and 217 Japanese women between the ages of 21 and 67 years, higher serum folate was found to be associated with a decreased prevalence of depressive symptoms in men. 36.1% of men and 36.4% of women were found to have depressive symptoms. Comparing the highest to the lowest quartiles of serum folate, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios of depressive symptoms were: 1.00, 0.53, 0.33, and 0.51, respectively. Additional date suggests a positive association between serum homocysteine levels and depressive symptoms in men. No such associations were found in women. The authors conclude, “Low serum folate may be related to an increased prevalence of depressive symptoms in Japanese men.”

Reference:
“Serum folate and homocysteine and depressive symptoms among Japanese men and women,” Nanri A, Mizoue T, et al, Eur J Clin Nutr, 2010 Jan 20; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Epidemiology and International Health, Research Institute, International Medical Center of Japan, Tokyo, Japan)