SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH IN ADULTS

Abstract

The effects of vitamin D on immune function have implications for mental health, as it has been shown that immune activation plays a role in the pathogenesis of depression. Last, vitamin D is a known regulator of cell growth and differentiation, with implications for the development of neurologically based disorders. In a Finnish study, expectant mothers that received vitamin D supplementation of 2000 IU during the first year of the offspring's life, reported a lower risk of multiple sclerosis in the children. (Głąbska et al.2021)

A number of studies have also reported an association between vitamin D and cognitive disorders. In a cross-sectional study on over 3000 men in Europe, higher vitamin D levels were associated with better cognitive function. A more recent study has reported an association between low vitamin D levels and cognitive impairment in a population of older women. (Yang et al.2020)

A growing body of research has provided compelling evidence that vitamin D deficiency plays a role in the pathology of several mental disorders. This includes an increased risk of schizophrenia in offspring of those who were deficient during pregnancy. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with depression and other mood disorders in the elderly. It has been found that in these individuals, vitamin D plays a role in regulating calcium, and this in turn affects neuronal calcium, which is involved in mood regulation. A study on a US adult population has also shown an association between vitamin D levels and the prevalence of depressive symptoms. (Albiñana et al.2022)

Vitamin D has long been known for its role in bone health. It has recently been recognized that vitamin D receptors are found throughout the body, and increasing evidence suggests that it plays a significant role in other areas of health. This includes the prevention of chronic diseases such as autoimmune diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, vitamin D is produced in the skin as a result of sunlight, and is affected by factors such as skin pigmentation, sunscreen use, and geographic location. As a result, vitamin D has been associated with social health disparities in regards to its effect on overall health. (Ames et al., 2021)

Vitamin D deficiency has been recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. We are now beginning to understand the full effect that vitamin D has on our health. Its effect on mental and physical health has become the focus of a number of recent studies. This paper is a critical review of the current research on the relationship between vitamin D and mental and physical health.