HomeBlogPatientStudies Remain Inconclusive on Vitamin D and Depression Studies Remain Inconclusive on Vitamin D and Depression September 18, 2017Patient There’s a reason so many artists – songwriters, poets, painters – connect the sun with our moods; lack of sunlight has been linked to mood disorders – especially seasonal affective disorder. Vitamin D, known as the Sunshine Vitamin, is activated in our bodies when UV rays from sunlight strike the skin. Vitamin D receptors in part of the brain have been identified as contributors to the regulation of moods. Accordingly, researchers have started to investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and depression. According to the CDC, one fourth of the population in 2006 did not have sufficient levels of vitamin D. Dale Archer, M.D., speculates in Psychology Today that could be because “we are not outside as much as prior generations, and when we are, we slather on the sunscreen which prohibits UVB (the rays responsible for suntans) from penetrating the skin. These same UVB rays naturally produce vitamin D.” Simply put, most people don’t get enough vitamin D from the sun. And although food is a great source of vitamin D, you would have to drink five or six glasses of fortified orange juice and eat salmon every day to get the amount of vitamin D you need. Vitamin D and Depression Study Results Despite the growing body of research on vitamin D and depression, there is no clear answer to what role vitamin D has in either preventing or treating depression. A recent study from Oregon State University found a correlation between depression and vitamin D in young, otherwise healthy, women. The study included 185 female college students, who had their vitamin D levels measured with blood tests at different times during the school year. Additionally, the participants completed a depression symptom survey weekly for five weeks. More than 60 percent of participants had vitamin D levels below what is considered sufficient. Most experts agree on a vitamin D blood level of at least 20 nanograms per milliliter. The vitamin D levels varied depending on the time of year – declining in the fall, lowest in winter, and higher in the spring. Perhaps most interestingly, the lower the women’s levels of vitamin D, the more likely they were to have clinically significant symptoms of depression, including when the researchers accounted for other factors, including the time of year, exercise and time spent out of doors. Even so, the researchers said that their findings don’t conclusively show that low vitamin D levels were the cause of depression in their subjects. According to the researchers, the next step should be a clinical trial to see whether vitamin D supplements can help prevent or relieve depression. What the Studies Mean to You Despite the lack of consensus, it seems clear that a person’s level of vitamin D may play a role with depression. A blood test can be used to determine whether your own vitamin D levels are within normal ranges. The Vitamin D Council recommends that healthy adults take 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, even more if they get little or no sun exposure. The Institute of Medicine’s Food and Nutrition Board say 600 IU/day is enough for adults and the Endocrine Society says 2,000 IU/day is enough for most adults. Segments of the population who are more likely to be vitamin D deficient include people with darker skin, people who spend a lot of time indoors during the day, and people that live in the northern part of the United States or in Canada. Be sure to talk to your health care provider about how to manage your depression, including medication, alternative treatments, exercise, or nutrition including, potentially, vitamin D supplements. Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. 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Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more
Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more
Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more
Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more
Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more
Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... Read more