To B Or Not to B? Vegetarianism and Depression

Is your life ruled by both vegetarianism and depression? If so, the cause of your depression may stem from a seemingly innocuous B vitamin deficiency.

It may come as a surprise to some, but contrary to popular dictate, human beings are not natural vegetarians. We are omnivores - our teeth confirm it. We have rending and tearing incisors, just as predators do; and we have grinding molars, just like herbivores.

Another piece of hard evidence exists: Humans need vitamin B12, which is only found in red meats. A lack of vitamin B12 can cause, among other things, severe depression.

Where there is cyanocobalamin (B12) deficiency, there will also be pyridoxine (B6) deficiency too. If you are vegan or vegetarian, it is vital that you supplement your diet artificially with these 2 vitamins. Take B6 or a multiple B-Complex vitamin is recommended - but you should go one step further. Have your doctor check your B12, and if it reads as deficient, be aware that the only effective way to supplement is to receive regular subcutaneous B12 injections (or eat red meat!)

Besides depression, other indicators of B6 deficiency include:

• Skin sensitivity
• High blood pressure
• Anemia
• Trouble sleeping; or quality of sleep

Indicators of B12 deficiency include:

• Memory problems
• Cognitive confusion
• Anemia
• Paralysis (in extreme cases)
• hair loss
• stress

Many people diagnosed with fibromyalgia in fact have later been proven deficient in B vitamins. Therefore it is especially important for anyone suffering from depression to be as proactive as possible, and insist on having their B12 levels tested.

A Simple Cure

It's worth noting that there are certain patients whose levels of B12 test within the accepted range who do experience an almost-immediate boost in their physical energy levels, along with a reduction of depression, when given B12 injections anyway. These are typically patients who have been chronically depressed for years.

In some ways, B vitamins are among the safer vitamins to take: any excess is excreted through the bowels, bile and urine (turning the latter bright yellow.) However, you should know that taking more than the recommended dose of B6 can cause severe nightmares, while ingesting even the slightest overdose of B3 - Niacin - can cause a particularly unpleasant "Niacin flush", in which blood rushes to your face and you feel quite peculiar for a period of time.

We'll leave the last word to 12-year-old Michael M.: "If Jesus had meant us to be vegetarians, he would have fed the multitude on loaves and beans, instead of loaves and fishes."

If you are a vegetarian you will naturally not agree with this unique viewpoint - but do get your B vitamin levels properly checked, in case they are low. The cause of your depression just may be as simple as that.