Depression is often associated with low D and treated by Vitamin D – April 2022

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Depression and Vitamin D: A Peculiar Relationship

Cureus. 2022 Apr 21;14(4):e24363. doi: 10.7759/cureus.24363
Nisha Saji Parel 1, Parimi Vamsi Krishna 2, Anuradha Gupta 3, Kamsika Uthayaseelan 4, Kivonika Uthayaseelan 5, Monika Kadari 6, Muhammad Subhan 7, Sripada Preetham Kasire 8

List of criteria

Randomized Controlled Trials

Depression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by various symptoms that can impact one's quality of life. Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, is well-known for its role in bone health, and research on its effects on mental health has only recently emerged. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread worldwide, and it has been linked to an increased risk of depression. In this article, we have discussed different hypotheses that explain the role of vitamin D in gene expression and its effects on neurotransmitters and different brain functions. We have reviewed literature that shows us that Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for depression and explored studies that show us the effects of using or supplementing Vitamin D in preventing depression among various populations.

 Download the PDF from VitaminDWiki

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Intervention of Vitamin D for Depression

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Meta-analyses of Vitamin D and Depression

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VitaminDWiki - Depression summary

• Low vitamin D is associated with most types of depression, Including: Seasonal Affective Disorder. manic depression, bipolar disorder, dysthymia, Depression during/after pregnancy, Seniors, Suicide
• Seasonal Affective Disorder is treated by both bright light and Vitamin D because both make serotonin
• Supplementing with Vitamin D (or getting more sun) decreases most types of depression as well as drugs
• Omega-3, Magnesium, and St. Johns' Wort also decrease depression
  • Speculate that some combination (Vit D, Omega-3, Mg, St John's) will decrease depression even more
  • Note: Both Omega-3 and Magnesium increase the amount of vitamin D which gets to tissues
• Omega-3 and Vitamin D each treat many mental health problems - April 2018
• Antidepressants reduce cellular Vitamin D, increasing fractures, CVD, etc. - Oct 2022
• There are 245 items in the Depression category in VitaminDWiki

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VitaminDWiki - Suicide associated with low vitamin D contains

Hints that suicide is associated with low vitamin D:

1. Suicide peaks in the Spring, when vitamin D values are lowest
2. Suicide has increased while vitamin D has been decreasing
3. Suicide higher in dark-skinned individuals (low vitamin D due to built-in sun protection)
4. Suicide higher in prison (shut-ins have low levels of vitamin D)
5. Suicide attempts in males 3.7 X more likely if poor CYP24A1 gene (less D to cells)
6. Suicide rate is higher at high latitudes (where vitamin D is less available)
   See Criteria to associate a health problem with low vitamin D