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Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Depression

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Depression

A new study from Oregon State University, just published in the journal Psychiatry Research, finds a relationship between low levels of vitamin D and depression in young women.

Along with getting Vitamin D from foods such as dairy and fish, people make vitamin D when their skin is exposed to sunlight. When sunshine is less in the winter, vitamin D levels are lower.

This study’s  participants were young women in the Pacific Northwest who are at risk of both depression and vitamin D deficiency.

Lead researcher David C.R. Kerr says, “I think people hear that vitamin D and depression can change with the seasons, so it is natural for them to assume the two are connected”.

The Oregon State University researchers studied 185 female college students, all between the ages 18 and 25 . Vitamin D levels were measured from blood samples and the study subjects completed a depression symptom survey each week for five weeks.  As expected, the women’s vitamin D levels were found to drop during the fall,  were lowest in winter, and they rise again in the spring.  The study found that young women with lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to express significant depressive symptoms.

The study’s researchers do say that their study does not conclusively show that low vitamin D levels cause depression. Further study of whether vitamin D supplements might help prevent or relieve depression is the logical next step according to Dr. Kerr said.

Along with exposure to sunlight, Vitamin D in found in a variety of foods including milk and dairy products, eggs, liver and fish.

“For more of the latest in nutritional/ lifestyle research check all of my blog posts at www.drsobo.com/blog

For the best care in Integrative Medicine call Henry C. Sobo, M.D., at 203-348-8805 or write us at [email protected]