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Low plasma vitamin E levels in major depression: diet or disease?

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 59, pages 304–306 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: Levels of vitamin E have been reported to be lower in patients suffering major depression, but whether this is due to inadequate dietary intake or the pathophysiology of depression is not known, and was the subject of the present study.

Setting: Wollongong, Australia.

Methods: Plasma vitamin E (α-tocopherol) was measured in 49 adults with major depression, age (mean±s.d.): 47±12 y. In a subset (n=19) usual dietary intake of vitamin E was determined by diet history.

Results: Subjects had significantly lower plasma α-tocopherol (4.71±0.13 μmol/mmol cholesterol) than has previously been reported for healthy Australians, and plasma α-tocopherol was inversely related to depression score (by Beck Depression Inventory) (r=−0.367, P<0.009). Diet analysis indicated that 89% of subjects met or exceeded the recommended intake for vitamin E, and dietary intake was not related to plasma α-tocopherol level in this subset.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that plasma levels of α-tocopherol are lower in depression, but this is not likely to be the result of inability to meet recommended dietary intake.

Sponsorship: This study was supported in part by the Clover Corporation and the Australian Research Council.

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Acknowledgements

We thank E Deane, Prof P Howe, Dr B Meyer and Mr T Crowe for their assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Smart Foods Centre, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia

    A J Owen, M J Batterham, Y C Probst, B F S Grenyer & L C Tapsell

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia

    Y C Probst & L C Tapsell

  3. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia

    B F S Grenyer

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  1. A J Owen
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  2. M J Batterham
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Correspondence to A J Owen.

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Guarantor: AJ Owen.

Contributors: AJO was involved in laboratory analysis, statistical analysis, interpretation of the data and manuscript preparation. MJB was involved in dietary data analysis, statistical analysis and manuscript review. YCP was involved in dietary data analysis and manuscript review. BFSG was involved in study design, data collection and manuscript review. LCT was involved in study design, dietary data management and manuscript review.

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Owen, A., Batterham, M., Probst, Y. et al. Low plasma vitamin E levels in major depression: diet or disease?. Eur J Clin Nutr 59, 304–306 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602072

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602072

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