Can Vitamin D Help With Depression?

Vitamin D is required for a number of processes in the body – including healthy bones, teeth and a good immune system. But what about the psyche? Can taking vitamin D possibly even prevent depression or relieve symptoms? According to chief physician Catri Tegtmeier, the question is not that easy to answer.

Vitamin D and depression: is there a connection?

The connection between depression and vitamin D has already been examined in several studies. 2020 has an Indian research team research results on the connection between vitamin D and depression in databases such as PubMed or the Cochrane Library and summarized. The team reviewed a total of 61 publications and concluded that vitamin D deficiency is commonly found in patients with depression.

However, the data do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the exact relationships. Due to the lack of evidence, treatment with vitamin D for depression cannot be universally recommended, according to the analysis of the Indian research team. Nevertheless, according to the Deutsches Ärzteblatt, studies indicate that people with a vitamin D deficiency have an increased risk of developing depression.

Can Vitamin D Prevent Depression?

Exactly how vitamin D and depression are related is still being researched. “The connection between nutrient deficiencies and depressive illnesses has not yet been finally clarified,” says Catri Tegtmeier, chief physician in the Department of Psychosomatics, Psychotherapy and Trauma Therapy Wicker Clinic in Bad Wildungen.

Although a link has been found between people with vitamin D deficiency and depression, vitamin D supplementation could, according to a Study by an American research team prevent the occurrence of depressive disorders. 18,353 adults aged 50 and over were examined. The majority, 16,657, had never had depression before, and 1,696 had had depression but had not received treatment in the past two years, according to the study’s methodology. The study ran for more than five years.

According to the American researchers, the administration of vitamin D did not lead to higher mood values ​​or a lower occurrence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms compared to the placebo group. 2000 IU of vitamin D were given daily. According to the Deutsches Ärzteblatt, it is unlikely that a “similarly large study on people with a proven vitamin D deficiency will be repeated in the coming years.”

Important for the assessment: only 11.6 percent of the participants had a vitamin D deficiency or values ​​below 20 ng/ml. According to the Robert Koch Institute, a sufficient vitamin D supply is achieved at values ​​between 20 ng/ml and 50 ng/ml in the blood. According to Catri Tegtmeier, if the vitamin D level is above 30 ng/ml, “no significant effect on mood from taking vitamin D is to be expected.”

Vitamin D against depression: The deficiency is compensated for in the clinic

According to Catri Tegtmeier, the vitamin D level is determined in all patients who are treated at the Wicker Clinic for depression, among other things. “The majority have a deficiency. The lowest values ​​were found in March: 46 percent had a severe deficiency and 27 percent had a clear deficiency, 13 percent of the values ​​were in the suboptimal range and only 14 percent in the optimal range,” said the head doctor.

Vitamin D has a high protective function for the nerve cells in the brain, which is why, according to the chief physician, a deficiency can lead to a decrease in intellectual performance. “In addition, it influences the formation of the messenger substances dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for good mood and mental strength, among other things,” says Catri Tegtmeier. Vitamin D also influences the sleep-wake cycle. This can potentially alleviate one of the most common symptoms of depression: trouble sleeping. However, more studies are needed to better understand the link between vitamin D and depression.