Vitamin D Benefits and Depression - Is Vitamin D a Potential Depression Cure?

Vitamin D Benefits and Depression - Is Vitamin D a Potential
Depression Cure? by RA Butters

underlying causes of D vitamin deficiency among the elderly, including less sun
exposure as a result of decreased outdoor activity, and different housing or clothing
habits.

Research shows correlation between low vitamin D and high parathyroid
levels in depressed people

The Amsterdam study correlated two important facts: one, inadequate levels of D
vitamin cause an increase in parathyroid hormone levels, and two, overactive
parathyroid glands are frequently accompanied by symptoms of depression. It was
further noted that the depression symptoms disappear after the restoration of
adequate D vitamin levels.

The Amsterdam research, which tracked over 1200 people aged 65 to 95, showed
that blood levels of the vitamin were 14 percent lower in individuals with major and
minor depression compared with non-depressed participants.

It was also revealed that, in comparison with non-depressed people, patients with
minor depression had five percent higher parathyroid hormone thyroid levels and
those with major depressive disorders but levels of the hormone were a surprising
33 percent higher in those with major depressive disorder.

Vitamin D as possible depression treatment?

The Amsterdam study stopped short of affirming that the vitamin can prevent or
treat depression, but called for additional study to investigate the possibility. High
parathyroid hormone levels can be treated with higher dietary intake of vitamin D or
calcium and increased sunlight exposure, the researchers said, and because the levels
of both substances are predictable indicators of depression such treatment has real
preventive potential. However, it must be determined whether changes in levels of
the vitamin lead to depression or are a result of it.

About The Author

RA Butters

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Is it possible that vitamin D benefits
depression? A new study says it
does, and raises the intriguing
possibility that boosting blood levels
of this crucial vitamin might help lift or
even prevent depression in many.

The study, conducted by by VU
University Medical Center in
Amsterdam, speculated that
depression may be the consequence
of inadequate levels of the "sunshine
vitamin". Noting that about 13
percent of older individuals have
symptoms of depression, the
Amsterdam study cited numerous

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