Of late vitamin D depression relation starts to raise many discussions among people, as depression becomes more and more widely spread mental condition, affecting people of all genders and ages. Even though, there is no sure scientific data, that explains all the ins and outs of vitamin D effects for depression, there has been enough research done to prove its strong correlation.
Let us take a look at some facts and myths related to vitamin D and depression.
One of the first depression related vitamin D facts is that this vitamin is capable of boosting serotonin levels in our bodies. Serotonin is one of the mental health essential hormones. It is also called a happiness hormone.
According to studies, its level boost during our exposure to summer sunrays, and drops down significantly during the winter days. The same is true about vitamin D levels. The increased intake of vitamin D in food supplements showed the consequent increase in levels of serotonin, produced by people’s bodies.
Vitamin D is also known for normalizing the processes of production of various neurotransmitters, such as adrenaline catecholamines, dopamine, and other hormones in our bodies.
Vitamin D plays a vital role in production and level of these hormones in human bodies and the effects they have on our mental condition, including such mental cases, as depression.
The fact is that Vitamin D takes active part in their production. That is why vitamin D depression treatment produces obvious positive results.
Another one of the studied effects of vitamin D and its relation to mental health and combating depression is its role in boosting our immune system. Vitamin D is capable of increasing protective and anti inflammatory functions of our bodies.
Several studies showed that people with depressive and other mental disorders also have suffered from multiple inflammatory processes in their bodies. Vitamin D intake keeps those processes under control and strengthens the immune system.
Now, one of the vitamin D related myths is that this vitamin is easy to overdose and that such overdosing can easily cause depression.
Vitamin D intake through such natural sources, as sun exposure or vitamin D rich food is almost impossible. When taken in the form of food supplements and under the strict medical supervision, vitamin D is hard to overdose, too.
According to many studies, even the excessive amount of vitamin D daily intake, such as 10 000 IU, did not cause any health side effects, including depression. If caused by vitamin D overdose, depression can be easily treated.
So, as you may see, it is important to know vitamin D depression related facts and myths to make the right decision on additional intake of this key vitamin for your health.