The brain needs certain nutrients in order for cells to function properly. If certain vitamins are lacking, neurons, or brain cells, are unable to fire synapses, or electrical chemical signals. The chemical signals are responsible for producing feelings related to mood and are therefore involved with mental illness when things go wrong with these signals.
Outcomes
One form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, is produced in the liver through the processing of vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 can be obtained either by sunlight exposure or through consumption in the diet. The type 25-hydroxyvitamin D is linked to depression, according to a study published in May 2008 in the "Archives of General Psychiatry." These findings were observed in a group of approximately 1,280 people ages 65 to 95 with major depressive disorder, a type of depressive disorder characterized by low mood, low self-esteem and loss of pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. The same was found for those with minor depressive disorder, which is a type of depression with fewer symptoms than that of major depressive disorder.
Synergy
Parathyroid hormone helps the body to absorb calcium from the small intestines, controls the amount of calcium in the bones and limits the amount of calcium lost in the urine. Parathyroid hormones also help stimulate the production of the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D, in the kidney. Parathyroid hormone is secreted by glands located in the neck. People with major depressive disorder have increased levels of parathyroid hormone in the blood, according to a May 2008 study in the "Archives of General Psychiatry."
Geography
Living in an urban instead of rural environment can place people at a greater risk for a vitamin D deficiency making them more prone to mental health problems, schizophrenia in particular, according the May 2008 study in the "Archives of General Psychiatry." For example, people in urban environments are less likely to be exposed to the sun because of the dense concentrations of buildings leading to less time spent outdoors. In rural environments, destinations tend to be more widespread and therefore lend to more time spent outdoors.
Considerations
Being the offspring of a migrant group can make a person more likely to be deficient in vitamin D and consequently at a greater risk for mental health problems such as depression, according to an article published in September 2010 in the "Archives of General Psychiatry." These effects are seen most in people with dark skin such as Afro-Caribbean and African migrants to England.
Process
The skin synthesizes vitamin D3 from a metabolite, or byproduct of cholesterol located in the epidermis, or outer layer, of the skin. After vitamin D3 leaves the skin, it is transported to the liver, then goes on to the kidneys to finalize the creation of the potent form of vitamin D3, which is 1,25, dihydroxyvitamin D3, an important hormone for mental health.
References
- "Archives of General Psychiatry"; Depression Is Associated With Decreased 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Increased Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Older Adults; Witte J. G. Hoogendijk, M.D., Ph.D. et al.; May 2008
- "Archives of General Psychiatry"; Neonatal Vitamin D Status and Risk of Schizophrenia; John J. McGrath, M.D., Ph.D. et a.; September 2010
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