Nematollah Sotodeh-Asl
1, Mohammad-Reza Tamadon
2*, Farhad Malek
2, Mehrdad Zahmatkesh
31 Nursing and Allied Health Faculty, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
2 Department of Internal Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
3 Kowsar Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
Abstract
The studies showed that, Vitamin D is involved in numerous brain processes, regulation of neurotrophic factors, neuroprotection, neuroplasticity and brain development. Vitamin D is crucial not only for bone health but for proper brain development and psychological functioning. However, low levels of vitamin D are associated with depression, schizophrenia and also seasonal affective disorder in adults, but there is conflicting evidence about the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and psychological disorders. Our analysis are consistent with the hypothesis that low vitamin D concentration is associated with psychological disorders, therefore in this review article, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched from 2000 through 2014. Based on these publications, although our study did not address the issue as to whether the observed differences represent a causal relationship between vitamin D deficiency and psychiatric symptoms, the results are nonetheless important given the significance of vitamin D to overall health. We suggest that increased attention should be given to vitamin D deficiency in psychiatric disorders.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/ medical education
Vitamin D, known as the "sunshine vitamin," is necessary for essential biological functions. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that contributes to strong bones health and helps to control the amount of calcium in the blood. Many people have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency due to reduced sun exposure or inadequate intake for various reasons. Recent evidence suggests that it may play a causative role in mental illness and also help in the prevention of many diseases and adequate levels of vitamin D are also associated with health benefits such as psychological function. Many studies show that the risk of psychological disorders is higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency. This paper is about the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and psychiatric disorders.
Please cite this paper as: Sotodeh-Asl N, Tamadon MR, Malek F, Zahmatkesh M. Vitamin D deficiency and psychological disorders. J Parathyr Dis 2014; 2(1): 21-25.