Synopsis

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

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) has attracted scientific interest for its potential role in supporting or treating depression. Epidemiological studies have observed that individuals with depression often have lower serum levels of vitamin D compared to non-depressed controls. Vitamin D receptors and the enzyme responsible for its activation are present in several brain regions implicated in mood regulation, suggesting biological plausibility for its involvement in mental health. Meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing vitamin D supplementation for depressive symptoms have yielded mixed results. Some studies report modest improvements in depressive symptoms, particularly among individuals with baseline vitamin D deficiency. However, other trials have failed to demonstrate a significant benefit over placebo. For example, a 2020 meta-analysis in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition found a small but statistically significant effect, while a 2023 Cochrane review concluded that the evidence is of low certainty and that vitamin D supplementation probably makes little or no difference in depressive symptoms for most people. Overall, scientific validation for using vitamin D3 to treat depression is limited. Supplementation may be beneficial for those who are deficient, but it is not considered a first-line treatment for depression. More high-quality, large-scale RCTs are needed to clarify its efficacy and identify populations who may benefit most.

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