Check out this answer from Consensus:
The current body of evidence suggests a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and depression. While some clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of vitamin D supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms, others have not found significant effects. Further research is needed to clarify the role of vitamin D in depression and to identify specific subgroups that may benefit most from supplementation.
Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Recent research has explored various biological factors that may contribute to the onset and severity of depression, including vitamin D deficiency. This article aims to examine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and depression, drawing on evidence from multiple studies.
The Link Between Vitamin D and Depression
Several studies have investigated the association between low levels of vitamin D and the occurrence of depression. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that individuals with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to experience depression compared to those with higher levels1. This study analyzed data from various observational studies and randomized controlled trials, concluding that there is a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of depression.
Mechanisms of Action
The potential mechanisms through which vitamin D may influence depression include its effects on neurotransmitters, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and inflammatory markers. Vitamin D receptors are present in brain regions involved in mood regulation, suggesting a direct role in mental health4. Additionally, vitamin D has been shown to affect serotonin levels, which are crucial for mood stabilization6.
Evidence from Clinical Trials
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have provided mixed results regarding the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in reducing depressive symptoms. One study found that vitamin D supplementation significantly improved depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD)3. Another trial reported that vitamin D supplementation reduced depressive symptoms in patients with chronic liver disease, particularly in women4. However, a large RCT involving postmenopausal women did not find a significant effect of vitamin D supplementation on depression8.
Special Populations
Certain populations may be more susceptible to the effects of vitamin D deficiency on depression. For instance, postpartum women and elderly men have shown a notable association between low vitamin D levels and increased depressive symptoms2 5. In children and adolescents, vitamin D supplementation has been linked to improvements in parental ratings of depressive symptoms, although self-reported measures did not show significant changes9.
Can a vitamin D deficiency cause depression?
Cornelie Nienaber-Rousseau has answered Uncertain
An expert from North-West University in Nutrition
Anglin et al. (2013) summarised observational studies that determined whether there are a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and depression. They concluded that studies show that low vitamin D concentrations are associated with depression. There is biological plausibility behind this association, because vitamin D receptors in areas of the brain have been implicated in depression (Eyles et al., 2005) and also vitamin D response elements are present in the promoter regions of the serotonin genes coding for the neurotransmitter that contibute to feelings of well-being and happiness (Wang et al., 2005). Experimental studies are needed to determine whether this relationship is causal. Experiments should determine whether depression can be prevented or even treated with vitamin D supplementation (Gordon et al., 2017).
Having adequate vitamin D is also important in general, because deficiency of this vitamin has been linked to rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis.
Can a vitamin D deficiency cause depression?
Pierre Bet has answered Unlikely
An expert from VU Universit Medical Center in Pharmacology
Although there is a relationship between VIt D deficiency and depression, we do not know whether vitamin D deficiency causes depression.
Depression could be the reason for insufficient food intake and cause vitamin D deficiency.
We are currently looking into the effect of Vit D supplementation on mood status
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26585952
Can a vitamin D deficiency cause depression?
Justin Thomas has answered Unlikely
An expert from Zayed University in Psychology
There is no conclusive evidence, as yet, of vitamin D deficiency causing depression (major depressive disorder). There is lots of evidence that they co-occur or correlate. The two states might worsen each other. I’m depressed I stay home, inactive, I get no sun. I’m vitamin D deficient, I interpret my vague aches, pains and fatigue in a way that further lowers my mood (“I’m not the man/woman I used to be”). We should also consider that depression is not a unified uncontested biological entity. There could be lots of slightly different biopsychological states that we have lumped together and labelled “depression” for communicative convenience.
Can a vitamin D deficiency cause depression?
Marie Bicikova has answered Unlikely
An expert from Institute of Endocrinology in Endocrinology
By my opinion to say that a vitamin D deficiency cause depression is too courageous claim. It is one of serious factors involved in the development of depression. Vitamin D and correct level of calcidiol ( more than 125 nmol/L) can help effectively in treatment of depression together with frequent movement on the fresh air and removing the main cause of depression.
Can a vitamin D deficiency cause depression?
Angelo Piato has answered Unlikely
An expert from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Neuroscience, Pharmacology
According to Rabenberg et al. (2016) in a cross-sectional analysis of data from 6331 participants, serum vitamin D levels were inversely associated with current depressive symptoms depending on the season, being associated more with summer than with winter. Vitamin D deficiency is probably a consequence and not a cause of depression. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.06.034
Can a vitamin D deficiency cause depression?
Daniel McFarland has answered Uncertain
An expert from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Psychiatry, Oncology
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with depression in various contexts and conditions. Causality is fundamentally much harder to demonstrate. As far as we know right now, there is an association. What this means clinically is that one should not rely on vitamin D to treat depression but you may want to make sure that vitamin D is repleted based on recommendations (above 30), especially if you are depressed or have a history of depression.