Vitamin D for Depression and Suicide: New Findings

Its use as a supplement is becoming more common, as is the controversy it generates. It’s about vitamin D, which divides the scientific community between those who support its consumption and those who believe that supplements are useless. Now research is adding to this debate, suggesting that Benefits of Vitamin D in Treating Depression and point it out as a possible suicide prevention measure.

Work carried out at the University of Guadalajara (Mexico) and published in the journal Nutrientslooks at the available scientific evidence to try to determine the role that vitamin D may play in the area of ​​mental health, more specifically depression and suicide.

Can Vitamin D Prevent Depression and Suicide?

The research team started from the idea that People with low vitamin D levels often have high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. associated with depression and risk of suicide. Therefore, vitamin D supplements may act as “modulators” due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

In addition, this trace element has a direct effect on brain function. stimulate serotonin synthesisknown as the “happy hormone”, which plays a fundamental role in regulating mood. “Vitamin D, by crossing the blood-brain barrier and binding to its receptors on neuronal cells, may improve mood and protect neural structures such as myelin, which is essential for healthy brain function,” the researchers note.

Although its results are considered “promising”, the team nevertheless admits that the available evidence is still insufficient establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship. “Most studies are based on observational studies, which limits the ability to confirm a direct relationship,” they note. However, given the low price of the supplements and the fact that their consumption is considered safe, they suggest that they can be considered as a “support measure” in the treatment of depression.

Depression and suicide

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are more than 700,000 suicides worldwide. In Spain, according to the latest data published by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the incidence is on the verge of 4,000 cases.

The connection between depression and suicide is undeniable. In fact, it is estimated that depression underlies 65% of suicides. Regarding this disorder, according to the Ministry of Health, the increase in incidence in Spain will be almost 20%, affecting almost half of the population.