4 Ways Vitamin D is Linked to Mood
Oct 15, 20245 minute read
Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin is greatly known for its involvement in bone health, calcium absorption, and immune system for hundreds of years.
But these are only some mere physical well-being features of this important substance. Today, some researchers say that vitamin D plays a critical role in regulating your mood and mental health.
Since they have found the vitamin D receptors throughout the brain, the beliefs and connections between this organic substance and our mood are becoming more and more obvious. And this blog is going to help you know the 4 ways vitamin D is associated with our mental health. Stick around until the end to find out!
1. Vitamin D Deficiency & Depression
People always considered the connection between vitamin D deficiency and depression as a myth. But with recent studies, scientists have actually found some evidence regarding this mythical fact.
When they were researching the areas where the sun exposure is very low, especially during winter, the majority of the people living in these places suffered from vitamin D deficiencies and extreme depression due to no liveliness—no sun!
They also referred to this as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Well, but for every problem there’s a solution. The best cure for this disorder is taking doctor-prescribed vitamin D supplements. You can pay a visit to Curated Wellness to learn more about vitamin D supplements!
How does vitamin D influence depression?
Vitamin D regulates the hormone-release actions of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. These hormones are incredibly critical for stabilizing our mood. Especially speaking of serotonin, people also commonly refer to it as a “feel-good” neurotransmitter. It helps with our mood and provides a happy sleep and appetite.
On the other hand, there is dopamine, which is often associated with reward and pleasure. Vitamin D may have been influencing the production and release of these neurotransmitters and reducing any sort of sadness and hopelessness.
2. Vitamin D’s Role in Anxiety
Anxiety is the name of the ultimate worries, stress, and fear. This mental health condition is usually common between young adults and teenagers.
According to the research, it might be that vitamin D deficiency triggers our mental conditions to feel anxiety. Although the exact mechanism and evidence are still yet to be discovered, the possibilities are quite high.
The Connection Between Vitamin D & Anxiety
Vitamin D appears to handle the proper functioning of neurotransmitters like serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid. These neurotransmitters are responsible for keeping our body calm and preventing any stress stimuli.
If a person has vitamin D deficiencies, his chances of getting victimized by anxiety disorders quite increase due to the improper release of neurotransmitters.
There’s also one study from the Journal of Affective Disorders, noting that the rate of anxiety disorders in individuals with vitamin D deficiencies was higher than in people who do not suffer from any nutritional gaps.
3. Vitamin D’s Role in Proper Cognitive Function
Vitamin D regulates our cognitive functioning. It helps with our memory, thinking, focus, and decision-making.
People with poor cognitive health are usually vitamin D deficient. They usually suffer from a mental health decline and constant frustration.
How does vitamin D support cognitive function?
There are vitamin D receptors present in our brain’s hippocampus region. This region handles our memories and learning power.
If your vitamin D level lowers or gets higher, it can cause problems with your normal brain functioning. You will become weak and dull.
However, if your vitamin D levels are kept sufficient, you can become quite sharper than most! Your brain will work much better, shielding itself from any inflammation and developing many new neural connections.
Research in the Journal of Neurology stated that older people who had low vitamin D levels have a high chance of losing their memory or cognitive function.
4. Vitamin D and Stress Management
If a person takes too much stress, it can harm not only their emotional well-being but their physical health too. It weakens the immune system, causes inflammation, and keeps the body’s metabolism slow.
While we know that stress can be triggered due to vitamin D deficiencies, it can result in a vicious cycle of stress and ill health.
How does vitamin D influence the body’s stress response?
Vitamin D carries anti-inflammatory properties that can help with the reduction of stress responses. Stress causes the release of cortisol hormone. If its release is prolonged, it can cause inflammation in the body.
Moreover, many studies have shown that vitamin D protects the brain from oxidative stress, which often leads to anxiety. This organic substance also keeps the cortisol levels maintained, reducing the inflammation risks in our body.
Conclusion
We have normalized consuming unhealthy diets a lot in today’s world. We do not know how harmful they can be for our future. This act is causing loads of nutritional deficiencies in our bodies, leading to conditions like stress, anxiety, and dysfunction of cognitive abilities.
By just taking 2 tablets of vitamin D a day, we can change our lifestyle. It can make us stronger, healthier, and more competitive in the environment. It will control all your gaps and make you more lively!
You can visit Curated Wellness, as they are offering a wide range of vitamin supplements, so you can choose one that suits you the most!
Related Products:
Ancient Nutrition Vitamin D
Powered by fermentation, this is vitamin D like you've never seen before. Weaving the ancient principles of TCM (Traditional Chinese Method) with body-friendly vitamins D and K and superfood ingredients, Ancient Nutrients Vitamin D features a potent combination of immune system-supporting* real-food ingredients with body-ready vitamin D + K.
Quality:
• TCM Formulation: A formulation more than 2,000 years in the making and built using the TCM (Traditional Chinese Method) of formulation, Ancient Nutrients Vitamin D features the time-tested superstars of TCM to bring a holistic approach to your daily vitamin D supplement. Using the traditional Chinese approach to wellness, the aim is to tap into centuries-old ingredients and practices to support the body as a complete system rather than separate organs, a larger concept known as “Qi.” TCM ingredients aim to balance and support qi, also known as life force.
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• Science-Backed: Ancient Nutrients Vitamin D contains select ingredients with a wide range of health benefits, including vitamin D to support cardiovascular health, immune health, bone health* and more.
Ingredients:
• Probiotic-Fermented Vitamin D: Generally speaking, vitamin D is responsible for hundreds of reactions within the body; it’s even needed at the DNA level, where it’s vital for tooth health and more. Vitamin D supports cardiovascular, bone and immune health.*
• Soy-Free, Fermented Vitamin K2 (MK-7): Functionally, vitamin K plays a strong role in bones and normal bone metabolism. Vitamin K2 also generally functions to aid in vitamin D synthesis in the body.
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• Bovine Liver: An ancient nutritional powerhouse, liver is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Containing vitamins A, D, B12, B2, B3, B5, B6, omega-3s, iron, folate, zinc and more, this liver from pasture-raised New Zealand cattle is amazing.
Highlights:
• 5,000 IU of organic, probiotic-fermented Vitamin D
• Featuring 95 mcg of vitamin K
• Formulated for real food, paleo and keto enthusiasts
• Features multi-kingdom ingredients inspired by TCM (Traditional Chinese Method)
• Supports bone health*
• Supports cardiovascular function*
• Supports healthy immune system function*
NOW Vitamin D-3 120 chewtabs
NOW® Chewable Vitamin D-3 supplies this key vitamin in a tasty chewable form. Vitamin D is normally obtained from the diet or produced by the skin from the ultraviolet energy of the sun. However, it is not abundant in food. As more people avoid sun exposure, Vitamin D supplementation becomes even more necessary to ensure that your body receives an adequate supply.
Natural color variation may occur in this product.
• Helps Maintain Strong Bones*
• Supports Immune System*
• Natural Mint Flavor
Vitamin D plays an important role throughout life, beginning with fetal development.* Thorne's D-5,000 is NSF Certified for Sport®. Vitamin D supports a number of important functions in the body.* In addition to supporting healthy bones and muscles, it supports cardiovascular health and immune function.*
Although direct sunlight provides natural vitamin D, many individuals of all ages, especially the elderly, do not get enough vitamin D from sunlight and their diet. Vitamin D supplementation can be of great benefit in these situations.* Thorne's Vitamin D-5000 contain no lactose or preservatives (BHA, BHT, sodium benzoate, etc) for individuals who are sensitive to those ingredients.
Klaire Labs/SFI Health Vitamin D3 5000 IU 100 caps
Vitamin D is inadequate in many individuals and daily need appears to be higher than previously thought. The role of vitamin D in calcium metabolism and bone health is well known.* However, it has many other important physiologic roles that are not as well appreciated. Vitamin D receptors are widely distributed in the body, including colon, prostate, breast and ovary, where it acts to inhibit the excessive growth of body cells and tissues and helps cells mature normally.*
Adequate amounts of vitamin D, an essential, fat-soluble vitamin, come from consistent exposure to sunshine and are difficult to obtain from dietary sources. Postmenopausal women, older individuals, and those with malabsorption, limited sun exposure, or certain illnesses may need higher intakes of vitamin D. Vitamin D3, the naturally occurring form, is supplied in high-potency amounts for those needing to conveniently augment dietary intake.
Seeking Health Vitamin D3 + K2
Vitamin D3 + K2 by Seeking Health contains 125 mcg (5000 IU) of D3 (as cholecalciferol) and 100 mcg of K2 (as menaquinone-7) in an easy-to-swallow capsule. The cholecalciferol form of vitamin D3 used in this product is derived from cholesterol in sheep’s wool, making it suitable for vegetarians. Vitamin K2 is provided as menaquinone-7, one of the most studied forms of this important nutrient.*
Key Benefits and Actions*
• May help support bone health and healthy bone metabolism as part of a healthy diet rich in calcium*
• May help support immune health*
• May help support healthy growth and development*
• May help support circulatory health*
