Our bodies need adequate amounts of vitamin D to function properly, both physically and mentally.
A new meta-analysis of 41 previous studies now suggests that taking vitamin D supplements can alleviate depressive symptoms in people already diagnosed with depression, making it a potential alternative option for treatment. open.
Besides controlling calcium and phosphate levels in the body, vitamin D is thought to help regulate various functions of the central nervous system. Previous studies in animals have suggested that vitamin D may also help regulate chemical balances in the brain. It may explain the relationship between vitamin D and mental health.
“These findings encourage new high-level clinical trials in depressed patients to further clarify the potential role of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of depression.” Eastern Finland.
The new meta-analysis found a total of 53,235 people from 41 studies, including those taking vitamin D supplements, those taking a placebo, and those with various physical conditions, with or without depression. of study participants.
The doses used varied, but a typical vitamin D supplement was 50 to 100 micrograms daily. In depressed participants, vitamin D supplements were shown to be more effective than placebo in alleviating depressive symptoms.
Vitamin D supplements appeared to be most effective in short-term bursts (less than 12 weeks), researchers report. I was given a placebo.
“Our results suggest that vitamin D supplementation has beneficial effects both in patients with major depressive disorder as well as in those with mild, clinically significant depressive symptoms.” the researchers wrote in their published paper.
Depression is now recognized as the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting more than 280 million people each year. Antidepressants are not effective for everyone, and more treatment options are urgently needed.
But before we get ahead, the data available so far is not enough to prove that low vitamin D levels cause depression, or that supplements are an effective treatment. This new meta-analysis points to a link, but previous research has been less conclusive.
Such meta-analyses help compare results across a large number of people, but differing approaches and factors in individual studies make it more difficult to draw broad conclusions. study as a whole.
It takes a lot more statistical work to know for sure what the story is. For example, by observing different dosages and different durations of treatment through studies of larger general and clinical populations.
“Despite the wide scope of this meta-analysis, the certainty of the evidence remains low due to the heterogeneity of the study population and the risk of bias associated with the large number of studies,” said Mikola.
This research Critical Review of Food Science and Nutrition.
