Despite depression being a serious malady that affects millions of people around the world, there are thankfully several treatments available as well. Diet has always been known to influence the possibility of developing the disorder. The reason is the lack of or excess of certain dietary elements can cause serious effects leading to depression. One of these elements is Vitamin D. Vitamin D and depression is known to have a connection. If you have been diagnosed with the condition, vitamin D can alleviate the symptoms. That is, if your daily intake is low. Vitamin D controls several of the body’s vital processes. It maintains the immune system, it absorbs and digests certain key elements as well as helps in maintaining a healthy body weight.
A key link to the fact that lack of vitamin D is a cause of the disorder is that lack of sunlight increases the chances of developing the disorder. Vitamin D can be absorbed by sunlight and this may suggest that there is a link. Vitamin D for depression can be an essential tool in maintaining and controlling the symptoms of the disease.
There is also and indirect relation based on a study conducted in a leading university. Insufficient daily intake of vitamin D may lead to increased amounts of a certain hormone and overproduction of this hormone may lead to depression in people. This makes it clear that vitamin D is required (although indirectly) to prevent or control the symptoms of depression. Vitamin D depression symptoms are similar to any other form of depression. Apathy accompanied by other physical symptoms such as insomnia, muscle pain as well as other severe and mild symptoms.
According to the research, further evidence was found to suggest that vitamin D benefits depression. It was found that depressed people have a significantly lower level of Vitamin D in comparison to people who don’t have the condition. Another statistic found to confirmed the link between vitamin D and depression is that the hormone discussed as aforementioned is over 30% higher in people who have major depressive disorder in comparison to people who don’t.
While there is certainly a relationship between vitamin D and depression, there is still doubt as to whether lack of vitamin D causes depression or if it can be used as a treatment to cure the malady. Several individuals have reported to see improvements after consuming a daily dose of vitamin D however the jury is still open.