Relationship: Seasonal Affective Disorder and vitamin D

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis
Other ingredients for this health condition
Other health conditions supported by this ingredient
Products containing this ingredient

Synopsis

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

Vitamin D is commonly considered in the management of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) due to its connection with sunlight exposure and mood regulation. Scientific interest in vitamin D for SAD arises from its biological role: vitamin D receptors are present in many brain areas involved in mood regulation, and deficiency of this vitamin is more common during winter months when sunlight exposure—and thus natural vitamin D synthesis—is reduced. Several observational studies have reported an association between low vitamin D levels and increased risk or severity of depressive symptoms, including those seen in SAD.

However, clinical trial data specifically examining the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in treating SAD are limited and somewhat inconsistent. Some small, early studies suggested that vitamin D supplementation might alleviate depressive symptoms in people with SAD, but more recent larger randomized controlled trials have often failed to show a significant benefit compared to placebo. Meta-analyses have concluded that while there may be a weak association between vitamin D deficiency and depression in general, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to recommend vitamin D as a primary treatment for SAD.

Overall, while the use of vitamin D for SAD has a plausible biological basis and some preliminary evidence, current scientific validation is limited, and supplementation should not be considered a substitute for established treatments like light therapy or psychotherapy. Monitoring and correcting vitamin D deficiency as part of general health maintenance is, however, reasonable.

More about vitamin D
More about Seasonal Affective Disorder

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Products containing vitamin D

Quick Links

Health concerns

Product categories

Body systems

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Quick Links

Health concerns

Product categories

Body systems

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin DFor the health condition: Seasonal Affective Disorder

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Products containing vitamin D

Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Seasonal Affective Disorder