Vitamin D & Your Mood

Archives of General Psychiatry published a recent study on vitamin D and depression. Low levels of Vitamin D and higher levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) were found to be associated with depression among 1,282 community residents aged 65 to 95 years. Researches studied this group to determine whether there is an association between depression, vitamin D levels and the parathyroid hormone (PTH). Depression was measured using self-reports, and diagnostic interviews.*

The study found that higher intake Vitamin D lowered minor depression by 14% in 169 persons and lowered major depression by 14% in 26 persons.

*W.J.G. Hoogendijk, P. Lips, M.G. Dik, D.J.H. Deeg, A.T.F. Beekman, B.W.J.H. Penninx. “Depression Is Associated With Decreased 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Increased Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Older Adults.” Archives of General Psychiatry. May 2008, Volume 65, Number 5.