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Vitamin D deficiency linked to depression

Researchers say they can't be sure if depression causes lower vitamin D levels or if lowered vitamin D levels cause depression.

By Noel KirkpatrickFri, Jan 06 2012 at 3:07 PM EST
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Depressed woman Photo: ZUMA Press
A new study links low levels of vitamin D to depression, but the researchers caution that the relationship between the two is still unclear.
 
The study, out of the University of Texas Southwest’s Medical Center and The Cooper Institute in Dallas, examined the vitamin D test results of nearly 12,600 participants from late 2006 to late 2010. Vitamin D testing is now a regularly part of physical exams.
 
The results found that high levels of vitamin D were associated with lower chances of developing depression, especially among those patients who had a prior history of depression.
 
Low levels of vitamin D in study participants were associated with depressive symptoms, and even more so among those participants with a history of depression.
 
"Our findings suggest that screening for vitamin D levels in depressed patients — and perhaps screening for depression in people with low vitamin D levels — might be useful," said Dr. E. Sherwood Brown, professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern and senior author of the study.
 
The link between vitamin D and depression remains elusive. Brown and his team say they are not sure if depression causes lower vitamin D levels or if lowered vitamin D levels cause depression.
 
“We don't have enough information yet to recommend going out and taking supplements,” he said.
 
But the vitamin D may affect neurotransmitters and other factors associated with depression.
 
Vitamin D levels have been connected to a host of other medical problems including autoimmune disease, obesity, diabetes and neurological disorders.
 
The study was published in The Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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Related Topics: Health & Well Being, Medical, Mental Health, Research & Innovation, Science

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anonymous
Richard H 01/06/2012 16:08 PM

Vitamin D or sunlight? Lack of exposure to sunlight may lower something else than Vitamin D.

anonymous
Anonymous 01/07/2012 18:09 PM

Richard H
Obviously you've never been diagnosed with depression? I was diagnosed with it in 1998. Serzone was prescribed and it was my savior. It gave me my life back and then it was pulled from the the market because it "may" cause liver problems. Over the last 13 years I've been prescribed every anti-depressant available. Guess what makes me the happiest? Beer!!! Geez....I wonder what would kill my liver the soonest? Beer or Serzone. The moral of this story is.....don't comment unless you've.... More

anonymous
Anonymous 01/07/2012 18:15 PM

Richard H
I'll also add....As far as the the "Docs" are concerned, there is nothing that contributed to my depression. For some reason or another my brain just stopped secreting serotonin. If your wise mind has an answer to my problem I'd be more than glad to hear it. Thanks in advance....
Tom

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