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Review
. 2022 Dec;11(4):675-681.
doi: 10.1007/s13668-022-00441-0. Epub 2022 Sep 13.

Is Vitamin D Important in Anxiety or Depression? What Is the Truth?

Şerife Akpınar  1 , Makbule Gezmen Karadağ  2
Affiliations
Review

Is Vitamin D Important in Anxiety or Depression? What Is the Truth?

Şerife Akpınar et al. Curr Nutr Rep. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Depression and anxiety are mood disorders that affect health and therefore quality of life and increase the global burden of disease. One of the possible mechanisms in the pathophysiology of these mood disorders has been reported as oxidative stress and inflammation. In the light of this information, it is important to determine the relationship between antioxidant nutrients (such as vitamin D) and these diseases. There are points where the brain regions involved in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety and vitamin D metabolism intersect.

Recent findings: Low vitamin D levels are associated with increased symptoms of depression and anxiety. For this reason, vitamin D screening should be performed in the prevention and treatment planning of these mood disorders. Vitamin D, which has antioxidant properties and activity in brain tissue, is important for mood disorders preventions or treatments but serum levels must be followed.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Anxiety; Cholecalciferol; Depression; Mood disorders; Vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Vitamin D synthesis and active form formation stages
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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