Deplin, also known as L-methylfolate, is a prescription medication primarily used to treat depression and other mood disorders. It is a form of folate (a B vitamin) that the body can easily use to produce neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers crucial for mood regulation, sleep, and appetite. While Deplin is not a weight-loss drug, its impact on mood and overall well-being may indirectly influence weight management. This article examines the existing research and potential indirect mechanisms linking Deplin to weight loss, while emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to well-being and consulting with a healthcare professional.
Understanding Deplin's Role in Depression Treatment
Deplin, or L-methylfolate, is prescribed for depression and other mood disorders. It's a readily usable form of folate (vitamin B) that aids in neurotransmitter production, which is vital for regulating mood, sleep, and appetite. Many individuals experience improved mood and reduced depressive symptoms after using Deplin, marking a significant improvement in mental health.
The Potential Indirect Link Between Deplin and Weight Management
There's no direct evidence showing Deplin causes weight loss; however, changes in appetite and energy levels associated with improved mood might contribute to altered eating habits and increased physical activity. While Deplin isn't a weight-loss drug, its impact on mood and overall well-being may indirectly influence weight management.
Indirect Mechanisms
Several indirect mechanisms may explain a potential link between Deplin and weight management:
- Improved Appetite Regulation: Depression often leads to emotional eating or changes in appetite. Improved mood stemming from Deplin use may lead to better appetite control and healthier dietary choices.
- Increased Energy Levels: Depression frequently causes fatigue. Deplin's mood-boosting effects can significantly increase energy levels, potentially leading to increased physical activity and exercise, which aids in weight management.
- Better Sleep Patterns: Disrupted sleep is common in depression. Improved sleep quality, often observed after Deplin treatment, can contribute to hormonal balance, which is essential for metabolism and weight regulation.
What the Research Shows (and Doesn't Show)
Most research on Deplin focuses on its efficacy in treating depression, not weight change. Therefore, there's currently limited direct evidence linking Deplin to weight loss. While anecdotal reports suggest some individuals experience weight changes alongside improved mood, more extensive, long-term studies are needed to establish a definitive causal relationship.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Important Considerations Regarding Deplin and Weight
It's crucial to understand that Deplin is not a weight-loss solution. Weight management is multifaceted. Diet, exercise, stress level, and overall lifestyle also play significant roles.
No Guaranteed Weight Loss: While improved mood from Deplin might indirectly support weight management for some, it's not a guaranteed weight-loss outcome.
Consult Your Doctor: Before starting Deplin or making significant lifestyle changes, consult a healthcare professional. They can assess your individual health status, medication interactions, and set realistic goals for weight management.
Individual Variation: The effects of Deplin, including any impact on weight, can vary between individuals.
Long-Term Interactions with Other Antidepressants
Research suggests Deplin may enhance the effectiveness of traditional antidepressants in some individuals, however, long-term interaction studies are still limited. More data is needed to fully understand how Deplin interacts with other antidepressants over extended periods. The potential for interactions mandates close monitoring by a healthcare professional.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Case Study: L-Methylfolate for Fatigue and Depression
This case study examines a 49-year-old Asian American female patient with long-standing fatigue and depression (20 years or more), for which pharmaceutical antidepressant therapies have been ineffective. History, physical examination, laboratory tests, and Genomind Genecept Assay genetic testing were used to determine symptom severity, investigate the presence of organic causes of fatigue, and provide a potential novel monotherapy for depression.
The patient's presenting complaint at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) Lair Hill Health Center was long-standing fatigue. (in her 20s). She described her fatigue as a “lack of interest and motivation.” In 2010, she began to notice sleep difficulty, which contributed to daytime sleepiness and the need for daily afternoon naps. At night, she endorsed proper sleep hygiene before bed. She reported that she occasionally awoke from naps due to an inability to breathe, which triggered immediate anxiety and heart palpitations.
Additionally, the patient endorsed an equally longstanding history of depression without mania, suicidal ideation, nor psychosis, which she related to undivulged childhood trauma and “poor parenting.” She explained that it is considered inappropriate in Taiwanese culture to discuss feelings of depression, and consequently her symptoms went untreated for many years. Eventually, she was prescribed multiple antidepressant medications from various drug classes in an effort to treat her depressive symptoms. The exact timeline, dosage, and duration of the treatments were unknown, but the patient was able to recall separate trials of sertraline HCl, bupropion HCl, and venlafaxine, all of which were ineffective in successfully managing her mood.
The patient’s medical history included chronic tension-type headaches, for which she had been receiving craniosacral therapy and acupuncture for years. She had a history of hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels in the prediabetic range, and she avoided dietary sugars as a result. The patient stated that she had quit her full-time job in 2014 and had since been working from home only part-time, though her stress remained high. She exercised 30 minutes each morning, and stretched each evening. She also danced and played soccer regularly. She received counseling every 3-4 weeks, and acupuncture regularly, which had only been somewhat effective for symptom relief. She had self-prescribed an extensive list of supplements in an effort to elevate mood and energy, but only small improvements resulted. She primarily ate a diet high in fats and animal protein, and low in grains, starches, and simple carbohydrates. She did not consume caffeine, alcohol, tobacco products, nor drugs and was having regular menstrual periods. She did not have children, had never been married, and was currently living alone in Portland. Physical examination of the mouth revealed an enlarged tongue, which made visualization of the posterior pharynx difficult.
The diagnosis of depressive disorders is largely clinical. The PHQ-9 is a standardized rating scale used in most clinics that is nondiagnostic for depression, but is a subjective measure of symptom severity, and may serve as a tool to monitor treatment efficacy. It is important to refer patients whose diagnosis is uncertain, and depression is suspected. There are several depressive episode subtypes.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
The patient stated that she had already been supplementing with L-methylfolate 1 mg for many weeks. She was instructed to increase her supplementation to 2 mg daily for 1 week, and increase by 1-2 mg per week until a total of 15 mg was achieved. A slow titration of the supplement was advised to avoid certain known side effects, including gastrointestinal distress, anxiety, and/or agitation. The patient was encouraged to continue with regular moderate to vigorous exercise, as was reflected in her genetic test results, and because the patient endorsed improved mood and energy during exercise.
The patient was compliant with the supplementation dosage adjustments of L-methylfolate, and continues to supplement with 15 mg daily. Fatigue and depression often coexist, however, the presence of both is not always related. The main strength of this case is the drastic improvement in the patient’s mood and energy, which can likely be attributed to high-dose L-methylfolate therapy. In fact, the treatment was so effective in increasing her energy level, the patient had to decrease the dosage at one point to avoid sleep disturbance. Limitations in this patient’s case were that her family’s medical history was unclear, and there were no accessible medical records that provided a solid understanding of her course of disease and past treatments.
The patient was pleased that after years of searching for an effective treatment and “doing everything right” without a significant change in her mood and energy, a genetic test was able to determine the presence of an MTHFR enzyme alteration that may explain both her symptoms and the lack of efficacy of several attempted treatments. She was encouraged by the additional knowledge from her test results, and the novel recommendation of higher dose L-methylfolate. She expressed satisfaction with the new treatment plan, and reported adherence at several follow-up visits. The patient expressed improvement in both energy and mood since the initiation of higher doses of L-methylfolate. Patient continued 15 mg daily supplementation with L-methylfolate and reported stable mood and energy with treatment.
MTHFR Enzyme and Depression
The case study highlights the importance of considering underlying factors that may contribute to depression, such as decreased activity in the MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) enzyme, which impairs the conversion of folic acid to methylfolate. Altered activity in BDNF suggests a potential risk for increased depressive symptoms, impaired memory, and altered stress response. Many other underlying organic causes of fatigue and depression have been ruled out with laboratory testing, including thyroid disease, vitamin D3 deficiency, anemias, and infections.
Levomefolate (Deplin): Important Information
LEVOMEFOLATE (LEE voe me FOE late) prevents and treats low levels of folate (vitamin B9) in people with medical conditions including depression. It is a form of folate. Folate plays an important role in forming red blood cells and maintaining brain health.
How to Use
Take this medication by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the label. Do not use it more often than directed. Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Storage
Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired: Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location. If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible: Allergic reactions-skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
What to Tell Your Care Team Before Taking This Medication
They need to know if you have any of these conditions: Low levels of vitamin B12, Low red blood cell counts, Mental health conditions, An unusual or allergic reaction to levomefolate, folic acid, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives, Pregnant or trying to get pregnant, Breast-feeding.
Potential Interactions
Cholestyramine, Medications for seizures, Methotrexate, Nitrofurantoin, Pyrimethamine. This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What to Watch for While Using This Medication
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress.