Can Low Vitamin D Cause Depression & Anxiety?

The Role of Vitamin D in Mood

For many, when they think of vitamin D, the first thing that comes to mind is that they can get it from the sun, or it helps keep bones and teeth healthy and strong. But now studies and findings are showing that vitamin D can be linked to mood and other mental health issues.

Have you ever heard of the “happy hormones?” These are serotonin and dopamine, whose primary role is to impact and regulate your mood. When vitamin D levels are low, they affect the amount of happy hormones produced.

When you notice your mood is low and you start noticing symptoms of anxiety and depression, getting screened will help determine if lack of vitamin D is the cause. Once ascertained, you’ll receive a treatment plan to elevate your vitamin D levels.

Can Vitamin D Deficiency Cause Anxiety?

Vitamin D and anxiety attacks in the same sentence is not an uncommon phrase nowadays. Compared to years ago, people are more aware and are acknowledging mental health issues like anxiety attacks, depression, bipolar and eating disorders, amongst others.

According to a journal in the National Alliance on Mental Health, 19.1% of the adult population in America has anxiety disorder. With this number set to rise, people are on the lookout for what is causing it and in search of applicable solutions.

So, with that, we get to the question that many want an answer to: “Can lack of vitamin D cause anxiety?” The answer is yes, it can. Research studies support claims that low levels of vitamin D can be linked to symptoms of anxiety.

However, it's important to note that vitamin D deficiency is not the only cause of anxiety. Other causes have been linked to it, like the consumption of alcohol, drugs, caffeine, or certain medications. Talking to a healthcare professional to help rule out the others and ascertain the root cause is advisable.

What happens when vitamin D is identified as the root cause of anxiety? What is the best vitamin D for anxiety? There are five types of vitamin D, but the most common are vitamin D2 and D3; vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) can help with anxiety. You can get vitamin D3 from sunlight, food, and supplements.

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency Caused Anxiety

Vitamin D deficiency in adults isn’t detectable unless a test is carried out. However, some symptoms might be a sign of its low levels. They are:

• Changes in mood
• Muscle aches, pains and weakness
• Bone pain
• Fatigue
• Changes in weight
• Poor sleep pattern
• Hair loss
• Pale skin
• Higher sensitivity to pain
• Lack of appetite
• Low immunity

Testing for Vitamin D Deficiency

Most people aren’t routinely tested for vitamin D deficiency, as many are asymptomatic. Testing might be considered for individuals in high-risk groups or with particular medical conditions. Your doctor will measure vitamin D levels through a blood test.

The test can also be done using at-home test kits. The kit allows you to collect a blood sample to mail to a laboratory for testing. A 25 (OH) D level indicates low vitamin D levels. Once you get the result, you embark on a journey to boost your vitamin D to a sufficient level for your body.

Increasing Vitamin D Levels

When vitamin D is found to be low after testing, the next step would be to find ways to increase and boost it. Below are some of the ways you can do it:

• Spend time soaking in some sun rays. Avoid overexposure; ideally, 10-15 minutes should be enough. If you have to spend more time outside in the sun for other reasons, it is highly recommended you use sunscreen.
• Consume vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, seafood, mushrooms, and egg yolks. You can also go for foods fortified with vitamin D
• Take vitamin D supplements. Most of these supplements have a safe side effect profile and are easy to use. Go for tailor-made supplements; vitamin D for depression and anxiety dosage will not be similar to vitamin D for bone health.

Someone might wonder, while increasing the levels of this nutrient is recommended, can too much vitamin D cause anxiety? Studies are still ongoing to determine if excess doses of vitamin D can cause anxiety.

So long as you use high-quality, independently tested products in their recommended doses, you shouldn't experience any side effects. However, if taken in extremely high doses, vitamin D can be harmful and cause some side effects, like excessive thirst, vomiting, confusion, and frequent urination.