Abstract
Background: Recently, it has been discovered that anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pathways play a role in depression and anxiety. Lower serum levels of antioxidants, such as vitamin E, have been implicated in both depression and anxiety. Methods: This PROSPERO-registered systematic review (Reference: CRD42021260058) is reported according to PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched from inception to June 2021. Results: Twelve studies were included in this systematic review, and nine in meta-analysis of vitamin E versus placebo. For depression, meta-analysis of 354 participants showed a standardised mean difference of –0.88 (95% CI: –1.54, –0.21; I2 = 87%) favouring vitamin E. For anxiety, meta-analysis of 306 participants showed a standardised mean difference of –0.86 (95% CI: –2.11, 0.40; I2 = 95%) favouring vitamin E. Three of the studies involved a pure comparison of vitamin E against placebo, while others included constituents such as omega-3 fatty acids. Nine of the studies were at low risk of bias, two had some concerns, and one was at high risk of bias. Conclusion: Vitamin E supplementation has shown inconclusive results in ameliorating both depression and anxiety. Containing a reassuring safety profile and low cost, future studies would be of promise, and they would benefit from both larger sample sizes and from excluding other constituents, such as omega-3 fatty acids, from experimental and comparator arms.
Highlights
Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Abstract: Background: Recently, it has been discovered that anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative pathways play a role in depression and anxiety
Depression and anxiety make up a significant portion of the growing global psychiatric burden, and they have negative implications for morbidity, socioeconomic contribution, and quality of life (QOL)
From 3,584 records, 12 research papers were included in this review
Summary
Results: Twelve studies were included in this systematic review, and nine in meta-analysis of vitamin E versus placebo. Three of the studies involved a pure comparison of vitamin E against placebo, while others included constituents such as omega-3 fatty acids. Containing a reassuring safety profile and low cost, future studies would be of promise, and they would benefit from both larger sample sizes and from excluding other constituents, such as omega-3 fatty acids, from experimental and comparator arms. Depression and anxiety make up a significant portion of the growing global psychiatric burden, and they have negative implications for morbidity, socioeconomic contribution, and quality of life (QOL). It is well known that these psychiatric disorders have extremely debilitating effects on individuals These disorders can cause an increase in mortality and reduced life published maps and institutional affiliations
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