RE: # Dear Steemian, What Do You Think Can Be Done To Beat Depression?

[snug]

Also, you might want check your vitamin D levels if you are not doing manual labour in the sun all the day.

https://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20120627/vitamin-d-deficiency-linked-to-depression#1

"People often feel better when they take vitamin D," says Michael Holick, MD, PhD. He is the director of the Vitamin D, Skin, and Bone Research Lab at Boston University. "One of the effects that vitamin D has on the brain is to improve serotonin levels -- which is the same chemical that many antidepressants act on."

Comments

[omarf]

Yes. Most psychiatrists recommend that. His might have already done so.

[snug]

And yet, a large percentage of people is low on vitamin D:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110102058.htm

Vitamin D deficiency is a real problem in Europe as levels in the blood are low in 50% to 70% of the population. Pérez-López points out that "healthcare professionals should be aware that this is a common problem which affects a large part of the population in Europe, even those who live in sunny places."

[bobinson]

I would rather recommend to get out in the sun a Vitamin D is generally synthesized in the body from certain variant of cholesterol and taking Vitamin D supplements can create adverse effects IMHO ( https://web.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-bin/hopes_test/vitamin-d3/ )

[snug]

I agree with spending more time in the sun. Unfortunately, for many people that seems to be not sufficient.

Citing https://caloriebee.com/vitamins-supplements/Vitamin-D-Deficiency-Why-You-Need-to-Act :

Do you …

• Use a high SPF sun barrier cream
• Work long hours in an office environment
• Cover up your arms, legs, face for religious or cultural reasons
• Stay out of direct sunlight because of sensitive skin
• Have a restricted diet that excludes fish, red meat or eggs
• Stay indoors all the time through frailty or ill health (e.g. live in a care home or other institution)

If any of these apply to you, you may need to take Vitamin D tablets. You are not getting enough exposure to natural sunlight.

[bobinson]

agree ...

[omarf]

Do you realize that you'd practically have to live in the sun to get your Vitamin D levels up to what some people might need? A more realistic/practical approach for this is Vitamin D supplements.

[bobinson]

I am not sure of the time required to generate enough Vitamin D. Do you have references for the same ?

[dinov2]

Couldn't agree more. I would add probiotics / fermented food too. There is strong link between gut health and mind health.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-probiotics-help-treat-depression-anxiety-2017072612085

[snug]

Following you, so I can learn more about food fermenting.

[hopehuggs]

Yes, I think I will try additional Vitamin D. I do try to get outside every day too though.