Clinical depression is a serious mood disorder that involves the brain. Clinical depression involves feelings of sadness that affect normal day-to-day activities. Patients with depression also experience a variety of physical problems. Most people with depression feel better with medication. Cholecalciferol, a naturally occurring form of vitamin D, known as vitamin D-3, may help depression drugs work better. Talk to your doctor before taking cholecalciferol to treat any medical condition.
Cholecalciferol Significance
The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, published in 2010 in the journal "International Archives of Medicine," concluded that people with low levels of cholecalciferol in the blood are more likely to have depression than people with normal amounts of the vitamin. According to the Vitamin D Council, a study led by vitamin D scientist Bruce Hollis and colleagues concluded that 100,000 international units of vitamin D given as a one-time dose improved the depression in a small group of patients with seasonal affective disorder better than light therapy. Evidence suggests that vitamin D may help major depression, but that evidence is not conclusive, and further research is needed, notes the Vitamin D Council.
Sources of Cholecalciferol
The daily recommended dietary intake of cholecalciferol is 5 mcg in males and females, according to MedlinePlus. Cholecalciferol can be obtained from foods such as fortified milk, cheese, butter, milk, cream, fish, oysters, margarine and fortified cereals. Cholecalciferol can also be obtained from exposure to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight for 10 to 15 minutes three times a week is enough to help produce the body's requirement of cholecalciferol.
Cholecalciferol Supplements
Cholecalciferol supplements are usually taken once a day. Cholecalciferol is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach but may be taken with or without food. Certain drugs such as cholesterol-lowering medications can decrease the absorption of cholecalciferol supplements. Cholecalciferol should be taken before or after taking other medications. Patients with high levels of calcium or vitamin D should not take cholecalciferol supplements.
Types of Depression Medication
Depression medications help balance chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The four classes of medications used to treat depression include selective reuptake inhibitors, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, monoamine inhibitors, and tricyclics. Common side effects of these antidepressants include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, insomnia, feeling jittery, blurred vision, sexual problems, headache, agitation and bladder problems, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
References
- National Insitute of Mental Health: Depression
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin D
- Drugs.com: Cholecalciferol
- "International Archives of Medicine"; Serum Vitamin D Concentrations Are Related to Depression in Young Adult U.S. Population: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; V. Gangi, et al.; November 2010
- Vitamin D Council: Vitamin D and Depression
