Nutraceutical Augmentation Strategies for Depression: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Abstract Context Depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders, but antidepressant pharmacotherapy often fails to achieve remission, leading health care professionals and researchers to consider various augmentation strategies to improve clinical outcomes. Objective To assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of nutraceutical augmentation for depression. Methods Nutraceutical-focused systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines identified the more commonly studied augmentation strategies for depression. Results S-adenosylmethionine, l-methylfolate, omega-3 fatty acids, and hydroxyvitamin D have sufficient scientific evidence to support their clinical consideration in the stepped care approach to the management of depression. Conclusions Clinical remission is the goal in the management of depression, and nutraceuticals may be part of an overall treatment approach to achieve that outcome.