New research suggests that low vitamin D levels may not be linked to depression. This finding contradicts a number of previously published studies showing that boosting your levels of the so-called "sunshine vitamin" may help reduce your depression risk.
For the study, researchers sized up data on 3,916 adults (age 20 and older). In addition to measuring the participants' blood levels of vitamin D, the researchers assessed each study member's depressive symptoms. Results revealed "no significant associations" between vitamin D deficiency and moderate-to-severe depression, major depression, or minor depression. However, the study's authors note that these findings should be further tested in future studies.
Available in supplement form and found naturally in some foods, vitamin D is produced by the body when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Essential to building strong bones and protecting against diseases osteoporosis, vitamin D may also aid in prevention of cancer and heart disease.
I need more data. I need to know what the serum vitmain D levels were. Many of the these studies only look at vitmain D levels is woefully insufficient individuals in whole.
What matters regarding vitamin D and depression is what levels of circulating D were in the bloodstream?
The healthy, normal range of vitamin D is 50-80 ng/ml, 25 OH D.
It is NOT 30 ng/ml, 25 OH D.
Almost all vitamin D research routinely, predictably, uses 30 ng/ml as a level of sufficiency. This is not nearly the truth and results of vitamin D benefits are muted, or suppressed.
On a personal note I can report that raising my blood levels to the healthy, natural range of 50-80 ng/ml, 25 OH D, did wonders for my depression. My doctor thought 30 ng/ml was sufficient, but upon further reading, I discovered he was in error.
30 ng/ml, 25 OH D, is not enough circulating vitamin D to provide maximum benefit from any disease, including depression. Do your own research and find out what the experts are saying, based on irrefutable research.
I wonder if there have been any studies done regarding vitamin D in combination with other things like Omega 3 Fatty acids, or with B12? I have to use all three or I just don’t function quite right.
It seems like there is no one nutrient that staves off depression – it takes ‘a whole village’ of nutrients.