Chicago: The growing trend of suicide around the world is
increasing the concern of social and health experts. According to a report,
more than 47 thousand Americans committed suicide in 2021, while according to
another report data in 2020. More than 1 million people tried to take their own
lives.
A new study has found a way to potentially reduce the risk
of suicide.
A study of more than 800,000 Americans found that when
people were prescribed folic acid, they were 44 percent less likely to harm
themselves or attempt suicide.
Folic acid is a synthetic form of folate or vitamin B9 that
is used in supplements and some foods.
Experts stress that the new findings do not prove that folic
acid alone does not reduce suicide risks.
Robert Gibbons, a professor at the University of Chicago and
lead researcher on the study, said of the findings that he wouldn't run to the
drugstore to get folic acid and certainly wouldn't replace any of his medical
exams with a supplement.
He said that to prove the direct effects of folic acid on
suicidality, a clinical trial would have to be conducted where people would be
asked to take the vitamin or not.
But research published in JAMA Psychiatry adds to the
evidence for a link between vitamin B9 and mental health.
Previous research has linked low blood folate levels with
depression. And when some mental health professionals are screening patients
for depression, they order blood tests to measure vitamins D and B12, along
with folate, because these components are also associated with depressive
symptoms. There is a relationship.
The frequency of drugs related to reducing the risk of
suicide has reached 44 since it has been revealed in the research about folic
acid.
