Vitamin D Deficiency Linked To Seasonal Depression

A lack of vitamin D may increase the risk of depression, according to recent findings published in the journal Medical Hypotheses.

An international research team between UGA, the University of Pittsburgh and the Queensland University of Technology in Australia conducted a review on more than 100 leading articles and found a relationship between vitamin D and seasonal depression.

"Seasonal affective disorder is believed to affect up to 10 percent of the population, depending upon geographical location, and is a type of depression related to changes in season," said Stewart, an associate professor in the department of counseling and human development services.

"People with SAD have the same symptoms every year, starting in fall and continuing through the winter months."
Researchers said they believe that vitamin D is likely to play a huge contributing factor in seasonal depression. Furthermore, vitamin D is also liked to the synthesis of serotonin and dopamine within the brain that causes depression.

"Evidence exists that low levels of dopamine and serotonin are linked to depression, therefore it is logical that there may be a relationship between low levels of vitamin D and depressive symptoms," said Kimlin, a Cancer Council Queensland Professor of Cancer Prevention Research. "Studies have also found depressed patients commonly had lower levels of vitamin D."

Adequate levels of vitamin D remain essential in maintaining good bone health and are important for excellent mental health, as well. They also play an important role in pigmentation, too.

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