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Nutrition & Mental Health

Priming the brain for an optimal response to antidepressants

How Nutrition Affects Mood & Depression Management

Nutrition plays a key role in the biological systems that influence mood, stress, and cognitive function. When the brain lacks certain nutrients, neurotransmitter balance can be disrupted, and antidepressant response may be less effective.2

An antidepressant may not be enough as SSRIs/SNRIs target only serotonin and norepinephrine and do not restore the full biochemical balance needed for optimal neurotransmitter function and treatment response.41,42

Addressing nutrient needs can be key to depression care

Many biochemical processes in the brain require sufficient levels of key nutrients—levels your patients may not achieve through dietary changes alone. People with depression and other mood disorders have been observed to have deficiencies in certain nutrients such as folate, vitamin D3 and zinc.6,15,16 Below are factors that can contribute to low levels of these nutrients:

Genetic Factors
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Genetic Factors17-19

Variants in MTHFR, DHCR7, CYP2R1, CYP24A1, and SLC39A4 genes can impair folate conversion, vitamin D activation, or zinc transport, reducing bioavailability critical for neurotransmitter synthesis.

Diet & Weight
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Diet & Weight17,18,20-22

Poor diet and increased body weight can reduce circulating levels of folate, vitamin D₃, and zinc by affecting absorption and utilization.
Aging & Metabolism
Icon of a person pushing a walker with a yellow circle depicting age icon

Aging & Metabolism20,22,23

Reduced gastric acidity and altered hepatic metabolism with age can impair absorption and conversion of folate and vitamin D₃.
Lifestyle & Environment
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Lifestyle & Environment17,20,22,24,25

Alcohol use, smoking, and limited sunlight exposure can further deplete folate and zinc or reduce vitamin D₃ synthesis.
Medication
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Medication17,20,26-28

Anticonvulsants, oral contraceptives, and some diabetes drugs (e.g., metformin) can interfere with folate metabolism, vitamin D activation, or zinc absorption and utilization.
Health Conditions
Medical cross symbol with a yellow circle depicting health icon

Health Conditions17,20,22,28

GI disorders, diabetes, thyroid disease, and hepatic or renal impairment can disrupt nutrient absorption, conversion, and distribution.

Folate's Effect on Brain Chemistry

Folate helps the brain produce neurotransmitters that regulate mood. Up to 70% of people with depression may have a limited ability to convert dietary folic acid into its active form — L-methylfolate. When that conversion is inefficient, the brain may not get enough of the folate it needs to support normal neurotransmitter production.

L-methylfolate is the only form of folate that crosses the blood–brain barrier1

Beyond Folate: Other Nutrient Deficiencies Linked to Depression

Emerging evidence shows that deficiencies in vitamin D₃ and zinc are also common among patients with depression and other mood disorders.6,16 These nutrients influence multiple biological systems that involve mood regulation, stress response, and cognitive function.

Low levels of these nutrients have been associated with increased depressive symptom severity and poorer antidepressant response. Addressing such deficiencies may help restore the biological environment necessary for effective treatment outcomes.

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Deplin FC™ is a medical food specially formulated to meet the distinctive nutritional requirements for neurotransmitter imbalances in the clinical dietary management of depression and schizophrenia. Use under medical supervision.

DeplinPRO Mood Health™ is a medical food specially formulated to meet the distinctive nutritional requirements for neurotransmitter imbalances in the clinical dietary management of mood disorders. Use under medical supervision.

†Deplin FC™ (FC for “free & clear”) and DeplinPRO Mood Health™are free from major allergens: milk, eggs, fish or shellfish, sesame, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soy.

*Based on US dollar sales through IQVIA NSP reporting channels from January 2023 – December 2024 of Deplin® branded medical foods compared to other branded medical foods indicated for depression.

§Actual testimonials but pictures and names are for illustrative purposes only.

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