Vitamin B folate or folic acid — active in citrus fruits, legumes, green, leafy vegetables — is yet another arrow in the psychiatrist’s quiver for managing treatment – resistant depression (TRD).

Deplin (l-methylfolate) is a folic acid type of derivative. Deplin helps normalize amounts of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine when used in conjunction with antidepressants. Folate is also crucial to the production of S-Adenosyl-Methionine, or SAM-e, which aids in the synthesis of nerve cell membranes and activates norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine – three neurotransmitters linked to depression. Numerous studies have found that depressed patients consistently have lower serum folate concentrations.