Will taking a Vitamin D Supplement help with mild depression?!
Question: Every winter, I experience mild depression and stress/anxiety. I figured it was just because of crappy weather and not getting out as much aside from work. Today, I have a "snow day" from work. The roads are awful and I cannot go anywhere. I am so down and have tried everything to get myself upbeat but I just can't shake this down feeling.
I recently heard that many people lack vitamin D in the winter because of lack of sunlight. Should I be taking this? How much?Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there anything else I can do that would be better? Please, no answers suggesting prescription meds. I only have this problem in the winter. Thanks!
Answers: Every winter, I experience mild depression and stress/anxiety. I figured it was just because of crappy weather and not getting out as much aside from work. Today, I have a "snow day" from work. The roads are awful and I cannot go anywhere. I am so down and have tried everything to get myself upbeat but I just can't shake this down feeling.
I recently heard that many people lack vitamin D in the winter because of lack of sunlight. Should I be taking this? How much?Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there anything else I can do that would be better? Please, no answers suggesting prescription meds. I only have this problem in the winter. Thanks!
Yes, I have the same thing & I take 1200 units of Vitamin D3 which is 2 tablets a day.
I found this out by accident. In my case, I started taking this last year for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & after taking it for about a week, I couldn't believe how good I felt & really happy too. I started reading up on it & found about how it helps with fighting Seasonal Depression in the winter, caused by not enough sunlight. Also, Dr. Oz on the Oprah show mentioned that everybody in the U.S. that lives above the Atlanta, Georgia line doesn't get enough sunlight in the winter & we should all take it. If you buy a supplement that says Vitamin D make sure that it contains Vitamin D3, that is the one that is effective. I buy the D3 supplement only. I highly recommend it, you won't believe what a difference it makes! I live in the midwest & have always dreaded winter in the past, especially February, due to the blah grey short days. Now I really feel good & I think it gives me extra energy too. I know it works because in December I ran out and waited a couple of weeks to get it and I could tell a HUGE difference without it. Give it a try, you'll be glad you did!
Note: I just checked Oprah's website & the required dose Dr. Oz suggested is 2 daily of 500 IU Vitamin D3 up to 2000 IU.
**********************
Here's an interesting article on the added benefits Vit D3 has in preventing breast & colon cancer too.
Higher Dose Vitamin D3 Important for Breast and Colon Health
Breaking News
Individuals who have the highest levels of vitamin D3 have a significantly reduced risk of breast and colon cancer, a new study has found.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) gathered data from observational studies that found that there was a reduced incidence of breast and colon cancers in individuals with higher levels of vitamin D3. They then took these past results one step farther by determining how much vitamin D would have to be consumed to achieve protection against these cancers.
The researchers determined that, in North America, in order to achieve a 50 percent reduction in colon cancer incidence, individuals would likely have to receive 2,000 IU per day of vitamin D. In order to halve the risk of breast cancer, women would have to receive 3,500 IU per day. The median adult intake of vitamin D in the US is 230 IU per day.
With universal attainment of a serum vitamin D3 level of greater than or equal to 55 ng/ml, the researchers projected that in North America alone at least 60,000 cases of colorectal cancer could be avoided per year and another 85,000 cases of breast cancer if vitamin D3 intake were increased.
In adults, vitamin D3 deficiency, may lead to osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
The researchers called for increased vitamin D intake among the general population and recommended that vitamin D2, which is less bioactive, be replaced in favor of vitamin D3, which is more bioavailable and is the same type produced in the body from sunlight.
Reference:
Garland, Cedric F. et al. What is the dose-response relationship between vitamin D and cancer risk? Nutrition Reviews. 2007;65;8 (Suppl):91-95.
no only a real doctor will suggest what is right for you....