Vitamin D and Mental Illness
Two small reports studied the association of low 25(OH)D levels with mental illness and both were positive.
Depression has significant co-morbidity with illnesses associated with hypovitaminosis D such as osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Schizophrenia is associated with cardiac disease Davidson M. Risk of cardiovascular disease and sudden death in schizophrenia. J Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63 Suppl 9:5–11., diabetes (before the introduction of the atypical antipsychotics) Peet M. Diet, diabetes and schizophrenia: review and hypothesis. Br J Psychiatry Suppl. 2004 Apr;47:S102–5., osteoporosis Levine J, Belmaker RH. Osteoporosis and schizophrenia. Am J Psychiatry. 2006 Mar;163(3):549–50., and hypertension Smith M. APA: Schizophrenia Patients Go Untreated For Comorbidities. MedPage Today. 2006 May 24. —but not multiple sclerosis.
Vitamin D has a significant biochemistry in the brain. Nuclear receptors for vitamin D exist in the brain and vitamin D is involved in the biosynthesis of neurotrophic factors, synthesis of nitric oxide synthase, and increased glutathione levels—all suggesting an important role for vitamin D in brain function.
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I have read many things about the many benefits of vitamin D and I decided to ask my doctor to test my levels. I have a chronic pain condition and suffer from periods of depression and insomnia. While my levels were on the low end of the normal range, I am supplementing my diet to raise my levels. I have noticed that my pain control has been very good and some of my pain triggers (cold weather) have not bothered me as much as winter approaches. I plan to have my levels tested again in a couple months and will adjust my dose accordingly.