Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Mood Swings

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin D has been investigated for its potential role in supporting mood and treating mood swings, with a growing body of scientific evidence linking vitamin D status to mental health. Several observational studies have found that individuals with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to experience mood disorders, including depression and mood swings. The biological plausibility for this is supported by the presence of vitamin D receptors in brain regions involved in mood regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Vitamin D is believed to influence the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which are important for mood stability.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of vitamin D supplementation on mood have produced mixed results. Some studies report modest improvements in mood or reductions in depressive symptoms, particularly in individuals who are vitamin D deficient at baseline. Other trials have found little or no effect. A 2014 meta-analysis in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience concluded that vitamin D supplementation may have a small beneficial effect on depressive symptoms, but more high-quality trials are needed to clarify its role. The evidence is stronger for individuals with baseline deficiency, suggesting that supplementation may be most effective as a supportive strategy in this subgroup.

In summary, while vitamin D is not a stand-alone treatment for mood swings, there is moderate scientific evidence supporting its use as an adjunct in people with low vitamin D levels. Its safety and potential benefit make it a reasonable consideration as part of a broader approach to mood health.

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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
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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