Food and Behaviour Research

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Adult Mental Health: The Role of Nutrition - WATCH HERE

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on symptoms of depression in overweight and obese subjects: randomized double blind trial.

Jorde R, Sneve M, Figenschau Y, Svartberg J, Waterloo K. (2008) J Intern Med. 2008 264(6) 599-609. Epub 2008 Sep 10 

Web URL: View this and related abstracts via PubMed here

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to examine the cross-sectional relation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-(OH) D) levels and depression in overweight and obese subjects and to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on depressive symptoms.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study and randomized double blind controlled trial of 20,000 or 40,000 IU vitamin D per week versus placebo for 1 year.

SETTING: A total of 441 subjects (body mass index 28-47 kg m(-2), 159 men and 282 women, aged 21-70 years) recruited by advertisements or from the out-patient clinic at the University Hospital of North Norway.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score with subscales 1-13 and 14-21.

RESULTS: Subjects with serum 25(OH)D levels < 40 nmol L(-1) scored significantly higher (more depressive traits) than those with serum 25(OH)D levels > or = 40 nmol L(-1) on the BDI total (6.0 (0-23) versus 4.5 (0-28) (median and range)) and the BDI subscale 1-13 (2.0 (0-15) versus 1.0 (0-29.5))(P < 0.05). In the two groups given vitamin D, but not in the placebo group, there was a significant improvement in BDI scores after 1 year. There was a significant decrease in serum parathyroid hormone in the two vitamin D groups without a concomitant increase in serum calcium.

CONCLUSIONS: It appears to be a relation between serum levels of 25(OH)D and symptoms of depression. Supplementation with high doses of vitamin D seems to ameliorate these symptoms indicating a possible causal relationship.

FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:

This study of overweight and obese adults confirmed previous findings of a link between depressive symptoms and low blood Vitamin D levels.

Importantly, however, it also investigated whether this link might be causal - by carryng out a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Vitamin D supplementation.

Results showed that one year of 
supplementation with high doses of vitamin D led to a significant reduction in depressive symptoms, supporting a causal role for Vitamin D in depression in this population.

Obesity is associated both with low Vitamin D levels, and with higher risks for depression - so although there is an obvious case for ensuring adequate Vitamin D levels in the general population, it may be particularly important in this group.

Further studies are now needed to confirm these findings, and to find out if Vitamin D supplementation can also reduce depressive symptoms in other populations. 

For more information on this subject, please see the following lists of articles, wch are regularly updated.


And for more information on Vitamin D more generally, and its importance for mental as well as physical health, see also: