Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin, Image Courtesy of Maggie Smith, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with depression (Mann, 2012), and depression and anxiety often go hand in hand. Vitamin D can be obtained naturally from sunshine, but these days many people avoid the sun due to fear of skin cancer and the majority work all day indoors as well, so vitamin D deficiency has become more common.
Vitamin D and Anxiety
Recent research has identified a link between vitamin D deficiency and anxiety. A longitudinal study of 7,401 individuals in the UK found that the likelihood of suffering from anxiety, panic disorder, and depression was significantly reduced among those with adequate levels of vitamin D (Maddock et al., 2013).
The Vitamin D Council (2011) cites the following evidence for and against vitamin D’s role in anxiety:
- “In Finland, mice without functional vitamin D receptors had increased levels of anxiety…However, this finding was not confirmed in similar Australian experiments.”
- “People with fibromyalgia were studied in Belfast. Those who also had anxiety and depression were more likely to have lower vitamin D levels.”
- “In Italy, a study of patients on chronic hemodialysis found no correlation between vitamin D levels and symptoms of anxiety.”
The organization notes that vitamin D protects against a number of diseases, and thus may reduce the risk of developing diseases that cause anxiety.
Also worth noting is that those born in the spring (who are more likely be low in vitamin D during a critical developmental period due to lack of sunshine over the winter) are more likely to suffer from anxiety (Parker, 1978).
Vitamin D Supplements
While the links between vitamin D deficiency, depression, and many other problems have been confirmed, more research is needed to determine the role vitamin D deficiency may play in anxiety. However, given that vitamin D provides many health benefits, supplementation is a good idea for anxious people, particularly if they also suffer from depression.
For information on natural sources of vitamin D, how long you need to stay in the sun to get enough vitamin D, and recommended daily supplement amounts, see the Vitamin D page. For information on depression treatment, see the main Depression page.
Other Natural Anxiety Remedies
For more natural anxiety and panic disorder supplements, see the main Supplements page. For a full list of natural anxiety therapies, visit the main Anxiety and Panic Disorder Remedies page.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical or psychiatric advice. Medical concerns should be referred to a qualified doctor.
References:
- Maddock, J.; Berry, D. J.; Geoffroy, M. C.; Power, C.; & Hyppönen, E. (2013). “Vitamin D and common mental disorders in mid-life: cross-sectional and prospective findings.” Clinical Nutrition, 32(5), 758-764.
- Mann, D. (Reviewed by B. Nazario, 2012, January 10). “Low Levels of Vitamin D May Be Linked to Depression.” WebMD.com.
- Parker, G. (1978). “The Season of Birth of Anxiety Neurotics.” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 12, 69-71.
- Vitamin D Council. (2011, May 17). “Anxiety.” VitaminDCouncil.org.