Vitamin D – SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)

A study as published in the ‘Journal Depression Research and Treatment’, supports the use of Vitamin D supplementation to treat seasonal affective disorder or SAD. SAD is a recurrent major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern usually beginning in Autumn and continuing into winter months. As sunlight decreases during the short dark days of winter, many individuals struggle with seasonal affective disorder or SAD. This paper presents an overview of SAD by explaining the disorder and commenting on treatment approaches including light therapy and Vitamin D supplementation. Many people with SAD have insufficient or deficient levels of Vitamin D. Research suggests taking Vitamin D before winter darkness sets in to help prevent symptoms of depression.

Most individuals in Ireland have insufficient levels of vitamin D, due to the fact that we don’t receive quite so much sunlight!

Previous research has demonstrated that vitamin D helps regulate the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin aka the happiness hormone! Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that affects a variety of cognitive functions including mood, decision-making, social behavior, impulsive behavior, and social decision-making.

Time to stock up on some vitamin D for the Winter? Check out our wide range in store and online. https://dublinnutricentre.com/?s=vitamin+d

To view the study click here

Here is another paper on the link between Vitamin D and happiness click here