End Fatigue

Many Depressed Older Adults Lack Vitamin D

Researchers reporting in the May 2008 issue of Archives of General Psychiatry have linked low blood levels of vitamin D—the "sunshine vitamin"—and increased parathyroid hormone levels to depression among older adults.

Some experts have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to depression, but few studies have examined the link.

For the current study, Witte J. G. Hoogendijk, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at VU University Medical Center at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands, screened 1,282 adults aged 65-95 for depression symptoms and ran blood tests to check their vitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels.

Vitamin D levels were 14% lower among those with depression then in those who were not depressed.

The findings from this study suggest that some forms of depression can be treated by consuming more vitamin D and increasing sensible sunlight exposure. The body makes vitamin D from sunlight exposure to the skin.