Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Apathy

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin D has been investigated for its potential impact on mood and neuropsychiatric symptoms, including apathy, particularly in older adults. Apathy, characterized by diminished motivation, can be a feature of depression or cognitive decline, and low vitamin D status has been associated with both of these conditions. Several observational studies have reported a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of depressive symptoms, including apathy, especially among the elderly. Some research has also linked low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with greater apathy in populations with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment.

However, direct interventional studies specifically targeting apathy with vitamin D supplementation are limited. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) primarily focus on general mood or depressive symptoms rather than apathy as a distinct syndrome. Meta-analyses of vitamin D supplementation for depression have yielded mixed results, with modest or no significant benefit in most cases, and apathy is rarely analyzed as a separate outcome. Guidelines from major health organizations do not currently endorse vitamin D supplementation specifically for apathy, though they suggest correcting deficiency for overall health.

In summary, while there is some scientific rationale and preliminary evidence linking low vitamin D status with apathy, robust clinical trial data supporting the use of vitamin D to treat or prevent apathy are lacking. Therefore, the evidence is rated as low (2/5) for this specific indication.

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Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis