This randomized clinical trial of vitamin D–deficient patients with generalized anxiety disorder, found that adding weekly vitamin D supplementation to standard treatment improved anxiety symptoms and produced favorable changes in mood-related and inflammatory biomarkers over 3 months. The vitamin D group saw increases in Serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood, and decreases in Neopterin, a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress. According to the study authors, “This supports the hypothesis that vitamin D actions in generalized anxiety disorder may be partly mediated through its anti-inflammatory effects that reduce oxidative stress, a mechanism previously suggested to contribute to vitamin D antidepressant effects.”
Brain & Mood
Vitamin D supplementation ameliorates severity of generalizedanxiety disorder (GAD)
Metabolic Brain Disease
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Brain & Mood
Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis
The British Journal of Psychiatry
Vitamin D is involved in various brain processes, and vitamin D receptors are present on neurons and glia in areas of the brain thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 observational studies, that included a total of 31,424 adults, found that there were lower vitamin D levels in people with depression compared with controls, and there was an increased odds ratio of depression for the lowest v. highest vitamin D categories.
Brain & Mood
Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis
The British Journal of Psychiatry
Vitamin D is involved in various brain processes, and vitamin D receptors are present on neurons and glia in areas of the brain thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 observational studies, that included a total of 31,424 adults, found that there were lower vitamin D levels in people with depression compared with controls, and there was an increased odds ratio of depression for the lowest v. highest vitamin D categories.
Brain & Mood
Narrow-band ultraviolet B radiation induces the expression of β-endorphin in human skin in vivo
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Sub-erythema narrowband UVB exposure can cause a meaningful increase in Beta endorphins in human skin 24 hours after exposure. Beta-endorphin is primarily utilized in the body to reduce stress and pain and has also been shown to positively impact depression and mental health.
Brain & Mood
Narrow-band ultraviolet B radiation induces the expression of β-endorphin in human skin in vivo
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology
Sub-erythema narrowband UVB exposure can cause a meaningful increase in Beta endorphins in human skin 24 hours after exposure. Beta-endorphin is primarily utilized in the body to reduce stress and pain and has also been shown to positively impact depression and mental health.
Brain & Mood
Vitamin D and Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly U.S. Population
The Journals of Gerontology: Series A | Oxford Academic
This study using data from 3,325 adults aged 65 and older found that people with lower vitamin D levels had a higher risk of cognitive impairment. Compared to those with sufficient vitamin D, the risk was similar for those with slightly low levels, 1.4 times higher for those with a deficiency, and nearly 4 times higher for those with severe deficiency. The overall trend was statistically significant.
Brain & Mood
Vitamin D and Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly U.S. Population
The Journals of Gerontology: Series A | Oxford Academic
This study using data from 3,325 adults aged 65 and older found that people with lower vitamin D levels had a higher risk of cognitive impairment. Compared to those with sufficient vitamin D, the risk was similar for those with slightly low levels, 1.4 times higher for those with a deficiency, and nearly 4 times higher for those with severe deficiency. The overall trend was statistically significant.