September 23, 2010 — In a British national survey of older adults, clinical vitamin D deficiency, defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) level less than 10 ng/mL, was significantly associated with depressive symptoms, independent of age, sex, social class, physical health status, and season......If vitamin D deficiency is demonstrated to be a cause of depression, correcting the problem "could be an effective public health measure to reduce depression prevalence in later life," Dr. Stewart and Mr. Hirani conclude in their report.The study was conducted by Robert Stewart, MD, of King's College London, and Vasant Hirani, MSc, of University College London, United Kingdom, and was reported in the September issue of Psychosomatic Medicine.
You can read more on Medscape Nurses here.
So go get your vitamin D levels tested, already. And if they're low, talk to your doctor, and stop and pick up a bottle of vitamin D supplements on your way home.
2 comments:
Oh Julia, you're so telepathic. In preparation for today's rheumie appointment, my doctor reviewed my recent labs and mailed me a prescription for Drisdol, 50,000iu once per week for 12 weeks because, as she says, my vitamin D is "nonexistant". I've done a round before, but aparently the OTC 1000iu daily 'upkeep' wasn't keeping up. (LOL I'm so corny:D) We weren't surprised, because everything from my overall health to my mood have been bad lately. Good to know that's independant of age, sex, social status, and so on, haha.
Then she also put me on prednisone...but that's another study;)
Interesting post you link to about the benefits of vitamin D. I guess it should be something I add to my daily vitamin C supplement.
-Jackie
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