Overview: Results from a large meta-analysis study reveal that vitamin D supplementation may help alleviate symptoms of depression.
sauce: University of Eastern Finland
A large meta-analysis suggests that vitamin D supplementation may alleviate depressive symptoms in depressed adults. Conducted by an international team of researchers, the meta-analysis includes dozens of studies from around the world.
Depressive symptoms contribute to a significant burden of disease worldwide. Because the therapeutic effects of current antidepressants are often inadequate, nutritional research, for example, calls for additional ways to reduce the symptoms of depression.
Vitamin D is thought to regulate central nervous system function, and disorders thereof have been associated with depression. Additionally, cross-sectional studies have observed an association between depressive symptoms and vitamin D deficiency.
However, previous meta-analyses of the effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression have been inconclusive. In meta-analyses, results from several different studies are combined and analyzed statistically.
The new meta-analysis of the association between vitamin D supplementation and depression is the largest ever published and includes results from 41 studies from around the world.
These studies investigated the efficacy of vitamin D in alleviating depressive symptoms in adults by randomized, placebo-controlled trials in various populations.
Studies included those conducted in depressed patients, the general population, and people with various physical conditions.
Results from a meta-analysis show that vitamin D supplementation is more effective than placebo in alleviating depressive symptoms in depressed patients. , typically vitamin D supplements were 50 to 100 micrograms per day.
“Despite the wide scope of this meta-analysis, the certainty of the evidence remains low because of the heterogeneity of the populations studied and the risk of bias associated with the large number of studies,” says postdoctoral fellow Author Tuomas Mikola, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, said: Meta-analysis is part of Mikola’s Ph.D. paper.
“These findings will prompt new high-level clinical trials in depressed patients to further clarify the potential role of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of depression,” concludes Mikola. increase.
A meta-analysis has been published Critical Review of Food Science and Nutrition It was carried out in an international collaboration between researchers from Finland, Australia and the USA.
About this Depression and Vitamin D Research News
author: press office
sauce: University of Eastern Finland
contact: Press Office – University of Eastern Finland
image: image is public domain
Original research: closed access.
“Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Tuomas Mikola, et al. Critical Review of Food Science and Nutrition
Overview
See also
Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depressive symptoms in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
The immunological actions of neurosteroids and vitamin D may modulate depression-related physiology. Meta-analyses investigating the effect of vitamin D on depression are inconsistent.
This meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of vitamin D in reducing depressive symptoms in adults in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial (RCT).
Studies of ill individuals with general and clinical populations and systemic disease were included. Phototherapy, co-supplementation (except calcium), and bipolar disorder were excluded.
We searched the databases Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library to identify relevant English-language articles published before April 2022. Studies were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2) and GRADE. 41 RCTs (n= 53,235) were included. Analyzes based on random-effects models were performed using comprehensive meta-analysis software.
Results of the main results (n= 53,235) revealed a positive effect of vitamin D on depressive symptoms (Hedges’ g= −0.317, 95% CI [−0.405, −0.230], p< 0.001, i2 = 88.16%; GRADE: very low certainty). RoB ratings were a concern in most studies. Despite high heterogeneity, vitamin D supplementation of 2,000 IU or more per day appears to reduce depressive symptoms.
Future studies should investigate the possible benefits of augmenting standard therapy with vitamin D in clinical depression.
Prospero Registration Number: CRD42020149760. Funding: Finnish Medical Foundation, grant 4120, Juho Vainio Foundation, grant 202100353.
