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What is the Connection Between Vitamin D and Depression?
The exact connection between vitamin D and depression is not fully understood. There seems to be a correlation between the two, if not a direct causation. People with clinical depression have been found to have vitamin D deficiencies, though these could both be symptoms of a different root cause. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a condition that is thought to be linked with the declining exposure to bright light during the winter months, and a lack of sunlight can also create a vitamin D deficiency. Research suggests there may be a causative relationship between vitamin D and depression, since positive effects have been achieved through the administration of the compound to people suffering from depressive conditions.
There appears to be a link of some kind between vitamin D and depression. The human body is capable of synthesizing vitamin D if sufficient sunlight is available, so a deficiency is typically linked to a lack of natural light or a defect of some kind. A lack of sunlight can also cause symptoms of depression in some people, as seen in seasonal affective disorder. It is thought that the lack of sunlight has a negative effect on brain chemistry, though it is also possible that low levels of vitamin D production could contribute to this disorder and other forms of depression.
The human body depends on a type of light known as ultraviolet-b (UVB) to produce vitamin D. Studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that light therapy with UV filters can improve mood, suggesting that conditions such as SAD are not entirely caused by a lack of vitamin D or improved by its presence. Other studies, however, suggest that vitamin D can have a similar or complimentary affect on mood. One double blind study conducted in Australia suggested a causative relationship between vitamin D and depression. This study involved the administration of vitamin D3 and found positive results one standard deviation over the placebo.
Anecdotal evidence also suggestions a relationship between vitamin D and depression. Increased depression in recent history has coincided with a number of trends that have reduced human exposure to sunlight, particularly to the UVB necessary for the production of vitamin D. Urbanization and time spent working indoors, particularly in enclosed office environments, can dramatically cut down sunlight exposure. The potentially harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation have also resulted in the wide use of sunscreens, which can have the unintended effect of reducing vitamin D production. None of this necessarily proves that low levels of vitamin D cause depression, though a strong relationship can be seen nonetheless.
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![A lack of sunlight can create a vitamin D deficiency and cause symptoms of depression in some people.]()
By: WavebreakMediaMicroA lack of sunlight can create a vitamin D deficiency and cause symptoms of depression in some people. -
![A lack of sunlight during the winter months may cause seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in some people.]()
By: Boyarkina MarinaA lack of sunlight during the winter months may cause seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in some people.
Discussion Comments
@fify-- I don't think so. I've been dealing with depression for a while and I've never heard any doctor say that vitamin D can cure depression. Obviously they recommend taking supplements if someone has vitamin D deficiency symptoms.
But there is more than one cause for depression. A vitamin D deficiency may be the issue for some people, but it's not going to help everyone. It hasn't helped me.
I personally think that genetics and environmental factors like stress are far more responsible for depression than vitamin deficiencies. I'm genetically inclined towards depression and whenever my life becomes stressful, I get depressed. And it doesn't change if I'm in sunlight!
@turkay1-- My biology instructor mentioned a recent study about this in class last week.
They did a study with over ten thousand people and saw that those with lower vitamin D levels experienced depression the most.
They also found out that it's sort of like a vicious cycle feeding itself. Not only does a vitamin D deficiency contribute to depression but depression contributes to a vitamin D deficiency as well. Because people who are depressed don't eat as healthy and don't get out in the sun as much.
I also have a friend who took vitamin D supplements for depression and her symptoms slowly went away. I don't know if that's proof, but I think it's pretty close.
I believe that there is a strong connection between vitamin D and depression. I personally don't experience this because I grew up in a place that wouldn't get much sun. But my mom and best friend both of whom grew up in very sunny and warm places have seasonal depression.
They both get so depressed in winter months. If even for one day there is sun out, I see a huge difference in their mood. I don't think this is only psychological. That might be a part of it, but I think a lack of vitamin D is the main culprit.
I know the article already mentioned that this hasn't been proven. But are there any recent studies that have found a very strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and depression?
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