Vitamin D Supplements Reduce Depressive Symptoms in Reviews of 41 Trials and 20 Studies
Updated
Updated · health.yahoo.com · Jul 16
Vitamin D Supplements Reduce Depressive Symptoms in Reviews of 41 Trials and 20 Studies
3 articles · Updated · health.yahoo.com · Jul 16
Summary
Two research reviews found vitamin D supplements eased depressive symptoms, with one covering 41 randomized controlled trials and another 20 studies.
The evidence was not definitive: researchers said the 41-trial review had very low certainty, while experts said benefits may be strongest in people already deficient in vitamin D.
About 25% of U.S. adults are vitamin D deficient, with higher risk among people in northern regions, those with darker skin, older adults, and people with malabsorption, obesity, or limited sun exposure.
NIH guidance puts adult intake at 600 IU daily, but experts recommend a blood test before supplementing because levels at or below 30 nmol/L are too low and excess supplementation can cause kidney stones or worse.