The brain’s chemistry depends fundamentally on nutrient availability. Vitamins B6, B12, and folate, along with zinc, magnesium, and iron, serve as essential cofactors in the synthesis of dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine—neurotransmitters that regulate mood, memory, and motor function. A growing body of nutritional neuroscience research shows that micronutrient deficiencies directly impair these pathways, contributing to depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.
Despite this evidence, micronutrient assessment remains underutilized in clinical psychiatry and neurology. Patients presenting with mood disorders or cognitive complaints are often evaluated for genetic and environmental factors while nutritional status is overlooked. Integrating micronutrient screening into standard clinical practice could identify reversible causes of neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly in vulnerable populations including older adults, vegans, and patients with malabsorption disorders.
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