Proper Name: Retinol

Common Name: Vitamin A


Evidence of Efficacy: statement to the effect of
Vitamin A deficiency or imbalance plays a role in the symptoms of mood disorders.¹ Observational and experimental studies have shown an association between vitamin A and anxiety², obsessive compulsive disorder³, depression⁴, premenstrual syndrome^5,6,7,8,9,10, and schizophrenia^11,12,13.

References:

1. Aktuna D, Buchinger W, Langsteger W, Meister E, Sternad H, Lorenz O, Eber O., Beta-carotene, vitamin A and carrier proteins in thyroid diseases. Acta Med Austriaca. 1993;20(1-2):17-20.
2. Rubinow DR, Peck GL, Squillace KM, Gantt GG., Reduced anxiety and depression in cystic acne patients after successful treatment with oral isotretinoin. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1987 Jul;17(1):25-32.
3. Gupta MA, Schork NJ, Ellis CN., Psychosocial correlates of the treatment of photodamaged skin with topical retinoic acid: a prospective controlled study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994 Jun;30(6):969-72.
4. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S, et al. Dietary intake and plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins in health and disease: a hospital-based case-control study. J Nutr Environ Med 5:235-42, 1995.
5. Chuong CJ, Dawson EB, Smith ER. Vitamin A levels in premenstrual syndrome. Fertil Steril 54(4):643-7, 1990.
6. Mira M, Stewart PM, Abraham SF. Vitamin and trace element status in premenstrual syndrome. Am J Clin Nutr 47:636-41, 1988.
7. Block E. The use of vitamin A in premenstrual tension. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 39:586-92, 1960.
8. Kleine HO. Vitamin A therapie bei pra menstruellen nervosen Beschwerden. Dtsch med Wschr 79:879-70, 1954.
9. Argonz J, Albinzano C. Premenstrual tension treated with vitamin A. J Clin Endrocrinol 10:1579-89, 1950.
10. Santamaria L, Dell’Orti M, Bianchi Santamaria A. Beta-carotene supplementation associated with intermittent retinol administration in the treatment of premenopausal mastodynia. Boll Chim Farm 128(9):284-7, 1989.
11. Goodman AB., Three independent lines of evidence suggest retinoids as causal to schizophrenia. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1998 Jun 23;95(13):7240-4.
12. Goodman AB., Chromosomal locations and modes of action of genes of the retinoid (vitamin A) system support their involvement in the etiology of schizophrenia. Am J Med Genet. 1995 Aug 14;60(4):335-48.
13. Hermanson E, Joseph B, Castro D, Lindqvist E, Aarnisalo P, Wallen A, Benoit G, Hengerer B, Olson L, Perlmann T., Nurr1 regulates dopamine synthesis and storage in MN9D dopamine cells. Exp Cell Res. 2003 Aug 15;288(2):324-34.