Vitamin D And Mood

Vitamin D is sometimes called a “super” vitamin because of its many reported benefits. In addition to these many benefits, Vitamin D also helps support a healthy mood and brain.

Studies Show Vitamin D Supplementation Improved Mood Scores.

A study of over 111 people who received vitamin D supplementation for six months found significantly improved mood scores correlating with supplementation. After vitamin D supplementation stopped, researchers found these scores worsened as vitamin D levels in subjects declined (2).

A study with 441 people evaluated the effects of vitamin D on mood versus placebo. After one year, those receiving vitamin D showed a significant improvement in mood evaluation scoring compared to placebo. The authors of this study conclude there appears to be a correlation with vitamin D levels and symptoms of poor mood (3).

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Anxiety & Poor Mood.

A published review found a significant association between mood disorders and vitamin D deficiency in 4 of 6 studies that were evaluated. The authors of the review believe this association may be linked to the presence of vitamin D receptors in the brain. Receptors not adequately filled may possibly interfere with normal brain biological processes (1).

A study published in 2021 found 49 out of 50 patients with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) who were selected were deficient in vitamin D. Researchers of this study conclude vitamin D levels may possibly be related to severity of OCD symptoms (4).

A 2015 study divided 200 people into male and female groups. Each of these groups were further divided into 1) those with an anxiety disorder, 2) those with a mood disorder, and 3) those with neither. Researchers found significantly lower blood levels of vitamin D in all anxiety and mood disorder groups (both male and female). Those who did not have an anxiety or mood disorder were found to have normal vitamin D levels (5).

A study of 30 patients with anxiety disorder who were being treated at an inpatient unit were divided into 2 groups. One group received standard care while the second group received vitamin D supplementation in addition to standard care. At the end of the 3 months, the group receiving vitamin D experienced significant improvement on anxiety score testing while the group receiving standard care alone did not (6).