Low Vitamin D Linked To Depression In Young Women

Researchers at Oregon State University have found a relationship between low levels of vitamin D and depression in young women with no other health issues.

"Depression has multiple, powerful causes and if vitamin D is part of the picture, it is just a small part," said lead study author lead author David Kerr, an associate professor in the School of Psychological Science at OSU, in a news release. "But given how many people are affected by depression, any little inroad we can find could have an important impact on public health."

The study was prompted based on the believe that there may be a connection between vitamin D and depression. However, there is not much scientific evidence to back this up, according to Kerr.

"I think people hear that vitamin D and depression can change with the seasons, so it is natural for them to assume the two are connected," he said.

In fact, past research has actually found no association between the two. However, much of the research was based on older adults or a small set of medical populations.

This study in particular focused on young women in the Pacific Northwest as previous research shows us that they are at a higher risk of both depression and vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to impaired immune functions and even some forms of cancer. We typically create vitamin D through our skin with sun exposure. However, certain foods naturally carry vitamin D, as well. Certain multivitamin also have it.

For the study, researchers recruited 185 college students, all women between the ages of 18-25 who had participated in the study at different times during the school year. Their levels were measured from blood samples and participants completed a depression symptom survey each week for five weeks.

Findings revealed that many in the study had vitamin D levels that were considered insufficient for good health. The rates were also found to be higher among women of color; this depended on the time of the year, with levels dropping during the fall and at their lowest during the winter months.

However, more research will be needed in order to determine if low vitamin D levels might be linked to depression. Of course, it might not hurt to take a vitamin D supplement just in case.

"Vitamin D supplements are inexpensive and readily available," Kerr said. "They certainly shouldn't be considered as alternatives to the treatments known to be effective for depression, but they are good for overall health."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the journal Psychiatry Research.