Vitamin D And DepressionVitamin D And Depression




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Vitamin D And Depression

Many researchers suggest that vitamin D has a positive effect on neurological disorders. Although this cannot be stated as a fact emphatically but several studies reveal the correlation between Vitamin D and the prevention and treatment of medical conditions like depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), schizophrenia and anxiety disorders.

The hypothesis related to this correlation suggests a prominent role of Vitamin D in the regulation of synthesis of the stress hormone, whose inadequate production results in mental illness. The nutrient is also believed to enhance the immunity of the body. Vitamin D has also been linked with the maintaining of the chemical balance within the neurons. The adequate level of neurotransmitters such as catecholamines, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline is known to be directly associated with various types of mental disorders. Vitamin D is reported to increase the level of tyrosine hydroxylase, an enzyme that is needed for the production of these neurotransmitters. The level of another important neurotransmitter, serotonin is also known to be elevated with sunlight, a natural source of Vitamin D.

Over the years, various studies have been conducted to establish the correlation between depression and Vitamin D. During one of the experimental studies, 40,000 IU of the vitamin was administered to 441 overweight and obese people showing symptoms of depression. After a year, positive signs of reduced depression were noticed in this group. A similar study compared the symptoms of depression in 6 women having less than 40 ng/ml of serum Vitamin D, before and after intake of Vitamin D supplements. The results noted after the consumption of vitamin D were very promising with marked improvement in the temperament of the subjects. However, despite these findings there may still be need of more research to establish this hypothesis as a fact.

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Vitamin D And Depression



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Why-Are-Depression-Rates-Higher-In-Women      If one were asked to enumerate the number of known men and women as patients of depression in your social circle, you would surely realize that most of those in the list belong to the latter gender. Statistics with regards to the rate of depression prevalent in both the genders project the probability of women being more susceptible to depression compared to men. More..