In a 2017 peer-reviewed article that's going to be published this month (July) in Neuropsychiatry, Shi and colleagues did a literature review to provide the latest insight on the antidepressant effects of vitamin D.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is likely to become the second most common disease (globally) in the following years. The exact causes and mechanisms of depression are still unclear, but there are 4 major hypotheses:
- the neurotransmitter hypothesis (emphasis on serotonin)
- HPA axis stress
- dysfunction of neurotrophic factors and nerve regeneration
- nutritional etiology (promoted by deficiency of vitamin D, folic acid, and other dietary essentials)
Shi et al. (2017) develop their review around the forth hypothesis, explaining:
- how vitamin D acts in the human body
- correlations between vitamin D and depression
- mechanisms of vitamin D and depression (still unclear)
- prospects in the study of vitamin D
"Although a strong association exists between vitamin D and depression, the underlying biology needs further study." [source]
Their direction for further study emphasize the use of MRI scans and:
"...accurately detecting the level of vitamin D in patients with depression is key. And supplementation may be the most convenient and low-cost treatment method to improve the quality of life. Based on the currently available literature vitamin D is a leading choice as an adjuvant drug to improve clinical efcacy in any treatment modality." [source]
Recently, I've been studying and experimenting with D and it's likely that I will write more about it (seems to act more like a hormone than a vitamin). Until then, should you want to, you can read the full open-access paper (it's not a very hard read despite of it containing medical-related terminology):
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Cristi Vlad, Self-Experimenter and Author
People who are depressed generally wont go outside because of that they wont get D vitamin ;-(
... Next to Vitamin H (H for Holiday), vit. D is very important!
Also 1 egg contain 41 IU(about 10% RDA) and 1 cup yogurt contains 80 IU(about 20% RDA)
the current RDA estimates are, in my view, substantially under-considered.
Hi @cristi I've written an article about you, check it out if you can.
22 Best Steemit Bloggers Of The Week To Follow July 2017
https://steemit.com/steemit/@jzeek/22-best-steemit-bloggers-of-the-week-to-follow-july-2017
thanks.
I guess this explains why people from my country suffers less from depression despite poverty. The sun gives us overdose of vitamin D, and sardines which is staple for less privileged families is also rich in vitamin D. Thanks a ton for sharing this.
Regards,
@steemitph
that might be one reason :)
Good information thankyou, we all feel better when the sun shines and i will try to eat more oily fish, sardines are very cheap compared to other fishes and i enjoy them on toasted bread, i will also eat more mackerel after reading this .
if you like fish, sure! those who don't can try other sources, or just pop a pill...
i have often wondered in life , so often we eat fish that has been gutted and that leaves the fillet which is good and tastes nice, but when we look at the smaller sea animals like prawns and other shellfish we eat them whole and im sure there will be more nutrients and things we need in those as they contain everything, just a thought :)
Vitamin D plays a very important role in our life. If you're someone who's into fitness, this should be a crucial part of your diet. The daily intake of vitamin D should be between 400IU-600IU. There are many food sources available.
This also plays a significant role in men's life, since vitamin D increases testosterone level in our body.
there are some positive correlations to that, but no clear mechanism. so, it's not wise to make such definitive claims.
I'm not saying there will be a significant increase in testosterone levels by taking vitamin D, but you'll notice some increase in your energy levels. That's what I observed by taking vitamin D.
Indeed, vitamin D is very important. And the problem is that it's realy difficult to get it naturally , specially for people who is not from warm and sunny country((( So, when I have visited a doctor, she told me to take vitamins Ultra D . Also this vitamin is very important for pregnant women.
which is why, in this case, supplementing may make sense...