If you’re experiencing depression, recent research suggests that the key to relief may lie in vitamin D.
You know that the so-called sunshine vitamin is integral for maintaining strong bones and that it plays an important role in metabolism. It is a precursor to many hormones and is integral in the proper functioning of your heart, lungs, and muscles. Doctors and researchers are still working to understand the other ways vitamin D effects the body. While it has long been suspected that vitamin D also plays a role in the cognition and mood, clinical evidence to confirm this hypothesis was scarce. Now, mounting evidence suggests that vitamin D levels may be linked to depression.
A recent study (1) of over 5,000 participants shows that people with higher vitamin D levels have a decreased risk of depression. The study focused on Finnish men and women, spanning ages 30 – 79, and concluded that men and women of all ages with higher vitamin D serum levels in their blood had lower incidences of depression than their counterparts with similar demographics. Interestingly, those who were divorced, had metabolic disorders, or had poorer diets particularly showed lower incidences of depression if their vitamin D levels were high. In this study, higher Vitamin D levels also correlated to lower incidences of chronic disease and anxiety disorders.
In the United States, a study (2) also replicated these findings. Looking at nearly 8,000 respondents to a health survey, doctors found that people from all demographics with vitamin D blood serum levels that were less than 50 nanomoles per liter were at an 85% increased risk of depression when compared to those with levels over 75 nanomoles per liter.
While this evidence seems extremely promising, the reasons for this correlation are not yet clearly understood. The more vitamin D is studied, the more surprising its effects seem to be. Scientists have found correlations between vitamin D deficiency and many conditions, from Parkinson’s to type 2 diabetes. This suggests that the function of vitamin D is more complex than previously thought. Some doctors are suggesting that vitamin D behaves more like a hormone than a traditional vitamin (3) .
Besides depression, vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to the following serious health problems:
1. Dementia.
A 2014 study (4) published in the journal Neurology found that moderate-to-severe vitamin D deficiency in older adults may double the risk for some forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Prostate cancer. A 2014 study (5) published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research found a link between low blood levels of vitamin D and aggressive prostate cancer in European-American and African-American men.
3. Erectile dysfunction. A 2014 study (6) published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that men with severe erectile dysfunction (ED) had significantly lower vitamin D levels than men with mild ED.
4. Heart disease. According to research (7) presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 63rd Annual Scientific Session, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to more severe cases of heart disease.
This could be a call for increased vitamin D supplementation. While sunshine boosts vitamin D levels, the sun can be inconstant; during the winter months or in cloudy countries, the effects of the sun on vitamin D levels can be weak. Supplementing with vitamin D may help with depression, though experts say further study is needed. And get the necessary daily amount through your diet is also a good choice. Vitamin D-rich foods (8) include :
1. Herring
Serving Size (1 fillet, or 143 grams), 306 IU of Vitamin D (51% DV), 290 calories.
2. White Mushrooms
Serving Size (1 ounce), 8 IU of Vitamin D (1% DV), 20 calories.
3. Whole Milk
Serving Size (1 cup), 124 IU of Vitamin D (21% DV), 160 calories.
4. Deli Ham
Serving Size (1 slice), 28 IU of Vitamin D (5% DV), 26 calories.
5. Cod Liver Oil
Serving Size (1 tsp), 450 IU of Vitamin D (75% DV), 41 calories.
6. Sushi
Serving Size (4 pieces), 14 IU of Vitamin D (2% DV), 130 calories.
7. Tofu
Serving Size (100 grams), 157 IU of Vitamin D (39% DV), 88 calories.
8. Swiss Cheese
Serving Size (1 slice), 6 IU of Vitamin D (1% DV), 106 calories.
9. Eggs
Serving Size (1 large egg), 44 IU of Vitamin D (7% DV), 102 calories.
10. Soy Milk
Serving Size (1 cup), 102 IU of Vitamin D (17% DV), 132 calories.
11. Caviar
Serving Size (1 tablespoon), 19 IU of Vitamin D (3% DV), 13 calories.
12. Canned Salmon
Serving Size (100 grams), 547 IU of Vitamin D (91% DV), 136 calories.
13. Salami
Serving Size (3 slices), 17 IU of Vitamin D (4% DV), 99 calories.
14. Shiitake Mushrooms
Serving Size (4 mushrooms), 20 IU of Vitamin D (3% DV), 180 calories.
15. Ricotta Cheese
Serving Size (1/2 cup),12 IU of Vitamin D (2% DV), 216 calories.
16. Sausage Links
Serving Size (8 ounces), 100 IU of Vitamin D (167% DV), 550 calories.
17. Mackerel
Serving Size (100 grams), 360 IU of Vitamin D (60% DV), 256 calories.
18. Oysters
Serving Size (6 medium oysters), 269 IU of Vitamin D (67% DV), 57 calories.
19. Orange Juice
Serving Size (1 cup), 100 IU of Vitamin D (17% DV), 120 calories.
20. Oatmeal
Serving Size (1 packet, 44 grams), 154 IU of Vitamin D (26% DV), 157 calories.
21. Canned Tuna
Serving Size (100 grams), 234 IU of Vitamin D (39% DV), 114 calories.
22. Vanilla Yogurt
Serving Size (1 cup), 115 IU of Vitamin D (19% DV), 208 calories.
23. Chocolate Milk
Serving Size (1 cup), 122 IU of Vitamin D (20% DV), 158 calories.
24. Pork Tenderloin
Serving Size (100 grams), 10 IU of Vitamin D (2% DV), 159 calories.
25. Cereal
Serving Size (1 cup, about 50 grams), 162 IU of Vitamin D (29% DV), 80 calories.
26. Beef Liver
Serving Size (100 grams), 49 IU of Vitamin D (8% DV), 150 calories.
27. Egg Yolk
Serving Size (yolk of 1 large egg), 37 IU of Vitamin D (6% DV), 54 calories.
28. Sardines
Serving Size (100 grams), 270 IU of Vitamin D (45% DV), 233 calories.
29. Catfish
Serving Size (1 fillet, about 159 grams), 795 IU of Vitamin D (133% DV), 178 calories.
30. Butter
Serving Size (1 stick), 9 IU of Vitamin D (2% DV), 102 calories.
31. Shrimp
Serving Size (3 ounces), 2 IU of Vitamin D (1% DV), 101 calories.
32. Portobello Mushrooms
Serving Size (1 cup diced), 384 IU of Vitamin D (64% DV), 22 calories.
33. Goat Cheese
Serving Size (1 ounce), 6 IU of Vitamin D (1% DV), 76 calories.
34. Sour Cream
Serving Size (1 tablespoon), 2 IU of Vitamin D (1% DV), 26 calories.
35. Sword Fish
Serving Size (3 ounces), 566 IU of Vitamin D (94% DV), 132 calories.
Resources:(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
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