There’s a reason depressed people stay indoors: it’s easier to stay depressed when you’re not out in the sun. Sun rays have a way of penetrating clouds of gloom and lifting mood. Today’s research excerpt explains why.
A study of more than 81,000 women found those with the highest intake of vitamin D from food sources had a significantly lower prevalence of depressive symptoms.
The researchers suggested that vitamin D may affect the function of dopamine and norepinephrine. These are neurotransmitters that are likely involved in depression, while also modulating the relationship between depression and inflammation…
The connection between vitamin D and depression is not new. In 2006, scientists evaluated the effects of vitamin D on the mental health of 80 elderly patients and found those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 11 times more prone to be depressed than those who received healthy doses.
In the current study, researchers found that intake of more than 400 IU of vitamin D from food sources was associated with a 20 percent lower risk of depressive symptoms compared with intake of less than 100 IU. This was a significant benefit from a very small amount of vitamin D — as 400 IU is far too low to benefit most people (not to mention your body is made to get vitamin D primarily from the sun, not food or supplements, as I’ll explain below).
It now appears as though most adults need about 8,000 IU’s of vitamin D a day in order to get their serum levels above 40 ng/ml, which is the lowest they should be. Ideally your serum levels should be between 50-70 ng/ml, and up to 100 ng/ml to treat cancer and heart disease.
It’s likely that vitamin D fights depression via several pathways, not only directly in your brain but also via inflammation. Vitamin D receptors have been identified throughout the human body, and that includes in your brain. Researchers have located metabolic pathways for vitamin D in the hippocampus and cerebellum of the brain, areas that are involved in planning, processing of information, and the formation of new memories.
Source: “New Study Shows Vitamin D Helps Prevent Depression.” By Dr. Mercola. http://articles.mercola.com
I know that I feel so much more energy on sunny days!
I need to see the sun tomorrow today was too gloomy
I always feel better when I am out in the sun!
Too bad we didn’t see the sun today! Cold, rainy, dreary and definitely depressing.
Sunlight definitely improves my mood.
Hard to get when in the OR all day with no windows
Makes sense. I know I am at my happiest being outdoors in the sunshine.
The article mentions inflammation but doesn’t explain it. Does vitamin D impact inflammation?
[…] Depression can be eliminated. Now it does depend on what kind of depression you are talking about. If you are so depressed that you are having trouble functioning get professional help. The sunlight can still be wonderful but you need professional help along with it. For those of us that may have days where we just are feeling a little down get out in the sun. […]