A study has found that supplementing with vitamin D can help reduce depression.
A research team led by Professor Tuomas Mikola from the Institute of Clinical Medicine of the University of Eastern Finland published a study showing that vitamin D supplements are effective in relieving mild clinical depression as well as major depressive disorder (MDD News) reported on the 21st.
MDD is the most representative form of depression and is diagnosed when low mood, loss of interest and appetite, sleep disturbances, feelings of worthlessness, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts persist for at least 2 weeks.
The research team analyzed comprehensive data from 41 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials (a total of 53,235 trial participants) published to date.
As a result, the research team found that taking vitamin D supplements with a daily dose of 2,000 IU (international unit) or less had a positive effect on alleviating depression.
The neuroactive steroid and immune action of vitamin D appear to regulate the physiological mechanisms associated with depression, the team explained.
To confirm this effect of vitamin D, the research team suggested that a clinical trial be carried out where vitamin D supplements are given at the same time as the standard treatment for depression.
Vitamin D is synthesized in the body through the skin exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Sun exposure provides 90% of the vitamin D our body needs.
Among foods, it is found in oily fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), liver, egg yolks, and cheese, and can also be consumed through vitamin D cereals, milk and vitamin D supplements.
The results of this study were published in the latest issue of ‘Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition’.
/happy news
