Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Depression

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin D has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating depression, primarily because of its known effects on brain function and the observation that vitamin D receptors are present in brain areas involved in mood regulation. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that individuals with depression are more likely to have low levels of vitamin D. However, whether low vitamin D is a cause or consequence of depression remains uncertain.

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have evaluated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on depressive symptoms. Some studies suggest a modest benefit, particularly in individuals who are vitamin D deficient at baseline. For example, a 2020 meta-analysis in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found that supplementation may improve depressive symptoms, but the effect size was small and there was significant heterogeneity among studies. Other meta-analyses have reported mixed or inconclusive findings, with some showing no significant benefit over placebo.

Current clinical guidelines generally do not recommend vitamin D supplementation as a primary treatment for depression but recognize that correcting deficiency is important for overall health. The evidence base is limited by methodological issues, including small sample sizes, varying dosages, and differences in baseline vitamin D status.

In summary, while there is scientific interest and some supportive evidence for vitamin D in depression, the overall quality and consistency of evidence is modest, justifying a rating of 2. Supplementation should be individualized and focused on correcting deficiency rather than as a stand-alone antidepressant intervention.

More about vitamin D
More about Depression

Other ingredients used for Depression

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
Acetyl L-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
Waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
Cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
magnesium
magnolia
Marine lipid
Matcha
Melatonin
Moringa
Muira puama
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
Rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sceletium
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
Tongkat ali
Almond fruit
Valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Whey protein
Zinc
suma
gastrodia
Mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
cistanche
dodder
Morinda
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
St. John's Wort
Yerba mate
cocoa
thyroid substance
star of Bethlehem
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
arginine creatine
Ardisia
Angelica
apigenin
Albizia
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteraceae
Algal protein
aniracetam
Amor seco
betony
Baikal Skullcap
Broussonetia
beta-hydroxybutyrate
biopterin
Butea monosperma
Beef liver
Bacopin
brahmi
Bacopa
bee products
bacoside
baicalin
Black Hellebore
biogenic amine
Camellia sinensis
coconut
caryophyllene
Monkey flower
crocin
Clary sage
catalpol
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese raisintree
curcumen
Cymbopogon martini
Centella asiatica
chocolate
creatine
Curcuma
cowslip
cannabidiol
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus pluricaulis
cola nut
Canscora
cannabichromene
docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DHEA
devil\'s club
dopamine
egg
Eicosatetraenoic acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
estrogen
folinic acid
folic acid
flavonoids
fragrant rosewood
fish
fatty acids
fungus
frankincense
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Gypenoside
Glutamate
Glycine
gastrodin
Honokiol
Hypericin
Hellebore
Hypericum
hyperforin
Helicteres isora
hericium mushroom
hemp
isoliquiritigenin
long pepper
icariin
Indian fagonia
inositol phosphate
jasmine
Jatamansi
Kokilaksha
lemon balm
Lebbek
ligustilides
limonene
Lavandin
Lycopodium
Large-leaved linden
little ironweed
lactalbumin
lactoglobulin
linalool
lipids
Methylcobalamin
Marine protein
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Mimosa
Meadow sage
Marine fat
magnolol
Mulungu
Mesembrine
Nardostachys
Nigella seed
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxindole alkaloids
Osthole
Phosphocreatine
pyrroloquinoline quinone
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Pulsatilla
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
polyunsaturated fat
Piper nigrum
Polygonatum
paeoniflorin
Physalis angulata
poly-thyronine
Phytoestrogens
Polygala
Petiveria
Purple Monkeyflower
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
rue
rosavins
Rosabin
rosmarinic acid
Rubiaceae
rose
Sichuan Lovage
Schizochytrium Oil
Sete sangrias
Spikenard
Scleranthus annus
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Sulbutiamine
Salmon Oil
Salidroside
Safed musli
Shankhpushpi
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Shilajit
Safranal
Sarcosine
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymoquinone
Tumerone
Trichilia catigua
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria
Uridine
Vetiver
Vervain
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
Walnut
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Yohimbine
Ylang ylang
Zucchini
Zingiberene

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis