Have you heard about the connection between Vitamin D and Depression? Are your kids getting enough vitamin D? If not, they could be at a higher risk for depression.
A study from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom shows that children and teens with higher levels of vitamin D are less likely to experience depression than those with lower levels.
The study analyzed vitamin D levels in more than 2,700 children who were age nine, and then followed up with them again at age 13. Researchers found that children who had the lowest vitamin D levels were more likely to experience symptoms of depression.
The children with higher levels of vitamin D were 10 percent less likely to have depression. These children also showed a decrease in symptoms of depression as they became teenagers.
The specific form of vitamin D is also important. This study also found that vitamin D3 offered stronger anti-depressant benefits than vitamin D2.
Vitamin D and Depression link in kids and adults
Although this is the first study to link low vitamin D and depression in children, a number of previous studies have demonstrated how vitamin D can prevent or reduce depression in adults.
- Studies done in Washington state and in Norway show that raising vitamin D levels in the body can reduce symptoms of depression in women.
- Other research has shown that higher serum vitamin D appears to reduce the severity of symptoms associated with depression.
- In Italy, women with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to experience depression.
- Men with low vitamin D levels experienced a 60 percent increased risk for depression.
The best source of vitamin D is the sun, which can help you produce thousands of IUs of vitamin D with good exposure in the summer months.
However, not everyone can get enough exposure to the sun to correct a vitamin D deficiency. In this case, eating foods rich in vitamin D can help. These include cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel, tuna and organic egg yolks. You can also supplement with vitamin D3 if you do not get enough vitamin D through sun exposure or your diet.
Tell me what you think about the link between Vitamin D and Depression in the comments below!
Like this post? You might enjoy reading these:
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Sources for this article include:
- http://www.naturalnews.com/031273_vitamin_D_depression.html
- http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/285093/20120120/vitamin-d-reduce-depression-risk-children-tuna.htm
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2088876/Exposure-vitamin-D-lower-risk-mental-health-problems.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
Originally published by Elizabeth Walling (that’s me!) on NaturalNews.com