Vitamin D - it's not just for you bones

We hear everyone talking about Vitamin D.

Vitamin D, it’s seriously not just for your bones. 

The weird thing is that vitamin D is actually a pro-hormone. It gets a little complicated, but according to a recent article by Courbebaisse, M, Et. al, in addition to preventing osteomalacia (softening of bones), optimal levels of vitamin D has been associated with a reduced risk of many diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, major cardiovascular events, cancers, infectious diseases and chronic kidney disease. Vitamin D is involved in regulating the immune system and inflammation which thought to impact mental health as well.

Vitamin D is for supporting bone Density as well as Depression!

There is growing evidence that there is a link between low-grade inflammation and depression. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that can potentially reduce inflammation and impact the severity of depression. There are many on-going studies looking at this question.  Research looking at the relationship between vitamin D levels and the treatment of depression found that there is an inverse relationship between vitamin D and depression, though the association remains unclear. The association appears to be driven by the stability of the body, growth factors, and immune support effects of vitamin D. Evidence from supplementation trials suggest that people who have both depression and a low level of vitamin D benefit the most with supplementation.

It’s important to note that too much vitamin D isn’t good either. So supplementation requires monitoring with a blood test to measure for optimal levels at regular intervals. According the the National Institute for Health (NIH), a blood level between 50-70 is an optimal level for people taking vitamin D for immune support, depression, and overall health.

Still, more research is needed to understand how vitamin D can help stabilize mental health and regulate mood and well as protect from illness by supporting the immune system.

So… Vitamin D, it’s seriously not just for your bones.