Vitamin D presumably lifts up mood during winter

Numerous studies have displayed the benefits of Vitamin D. Well, here’s one more. Scientists from the Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON) claim that consuming Vitamin D on a daily basis may be required by Chicagoans to pass through the long winter. This nutrient seems to boost mood during cold weather months when days are short and more time is apparently spent indoors.

It is said that diet alone may not be adequate to regulate vitamin D levels. A mixture of sufficient nutritional consumption of vitamin D, exposure to sunlight, and treatment with vitamin D2 or D3 supplements probably reduces the danger of specific health concerns. The desired range in the body is believed to be 30 – 60 ng/mL of 25 (OH) vitamins D.

Sue Penckofer, PhD, RN, professor, MNSON, commented, “Vitamin D deficiency continues to be a problem despite the nutrient’s widely reported health benefits. Chicago winters compound this issue when more people spend time away from sunlight, which is a natural source of vitamin D.”

Loyola faculty members apparently intend to take vitamin D study a step more by assessing whether weekly vitamin D supplements may enhance blood sugar control and mood in women with diabetes. Depression could be linked to augmented insulin resistance, so people with diabetes appeared to encompass a bigger risk for the disease as compared to those without depression. Women are also said to be inclined to have larger rates of depression and poorer blood sugar control as opposed to men with diabetes.

Dr. Penckofer mentioned, “There is evidence to suggest that vitamin D supplementation may decrease insulin resistance. If we can stabilize insulin levels, we may be able to simply and cost effectively improve blood sugar control and reduce symptoms of depression for these women.”

Loyola is presently recruiting women in this clinical trial. If people want to participate in the study, the subjects should be 18 to 70 years of age, suffer from steady type 2 diabetes, and encompass indications of depression and no other major medical illness. Roughly Eighty women with type 2 diabetes and signs of depression will receive a weekly dose of vitamin D (50,000 IU) for around six months. The subjects may be assessed at three points during this time.

Dr. Penckofer mentioned that if the study is proven to be successful, vitamin D may an important addition to care for diabetes and depression.