Depression Critic Blog

Depression and Vitamin D

February 23rd, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

There is a direct relationship between depression and vitamin D deficiency. It is starting to be widely and internationally recognized as an increasingly troublesome problem. Although studies have shown a broad range of deficiencies among all races, ages and lifestyles, the highest average of deficient suffers showed a relationship between depression and vitamin D deficiency.

It is also a widely accepted belief that vitamin D deficiency causes muscle weakness, osteoporosis as well as numerous other bone structure diseases and disorders.

Our main source of vitamin D is ultraviolet light from the sun, which stimulates the creation of the vitamin through a molecule in the skin. Fleshy foods are not a great source of vitamin D with the exception of fish oils and select other natural supplement vitamin and nutrients.

Depression and vitamin D deficiency are also linked through diet as most of us don’t consume the required amounts of vitamin D and as well, don’t spend enough time in the sunlight to have the molecules accelerate the process of creating vitamin D.

Studies found that serious depression and vitamin D deficiency showed that sunscreen users were also more apt to study from depression. Sunscreen blocks the necessary ultraviolet light to activate the molecules. Taking a vitamin supplement, and being more conscious of you put in your diet can; often remedy this depression and vitamin D deficiency.

Winter, and seasonal depression and vitamin D deficiency has been linked as well as the sun does not provide as much light as in the summer season. Many patients seek light therapy and in individuals who suffer from this ailment, there is often a significant improvement.

Studies have shown that seasonal depression is in part due to the decrease of vitamin D synthesis in the skin. In studies that were done on ailments that are closely associated with depression and vitamin D deficiency included Fibromyalgia however, were unable to make a direct tie, as the patients were not given a vitamin D supplement.

Many studies done over the years by various researchers and project have developed a belief that vitamin D supplements can help prevent bone loss and reduces the risks of getting osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Vitamin D has been proven to be an essential vitamin that should be added to our diets diligently. It has also been shown in some studies to show an improvement not only in treating the symptoms of depression but also in the aiding of the prevention of depression.