Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression in a new, large study. The findings suggest that screening for vitamin D levels in depressed patients -- and perhaps screening for depression in people with low vitamin D levels -- might be useful.
Researchers examined data on almost 12,600 study participants between 2006 and 2010. Higher vitamin D levels were shown to be associated with a significantly decreased risk of current depression. Low vitamin D levels were also associated with depressive symptoms.
Science Daily reports:
“The scientists have not determined the exact relationship -- whether low vitamin D contributes to symptoms of depression, whether depression itself contributes to lower vitamin D levels, or chemically how that happens. But vitamin D may affect neurotransmitters, inflammatory markers and other factors, which could help explain the relationship with depression”.