Depression and anxiety are mood disorders that significantly affect quality of life and contribute to the global disease burden. Emerging research suggests that oxidative stress and inflammation may play a role in the development of these disorders, with a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Vitamin D, which has antioxidant properties and is active in brain tissue, may influence brain regions involved in mood regulation.

Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to improve symptoms in some individuals, particularly those with chronic inflammatory conditions, but results across studies are inconsistent. Factors such as varying definitions of vitamin D deficiency, differences in study populations, and the tools used to measure depression and anxiety contribute to the mixed findings. Despite the evidence suggesting a role for vitamin D in mood disorders, it is not yet included in clinical guidelines. Future cohort studies are needed to better understand the effectiveness of vitamin D in treating mood disorders, as well as to determine the appropriate dosing and monitoring protocols for supplementation.

Reference: Akpınar Ş, Karadağ MG. Is Vitamin D Important in Anxiety or Depression? What Is the Truth? Curr Nutr Rep. 2022;11(4):675-681. doi: 10.1007/s13668-022-00441-0.