LOW VITAMIN D LEVELS LINKED WITH DEPRESSION

Older people with low levels of Vitamin D and elevated levels of parathyroid, hormone (PTH, a hormone that regulates blood calcium levels) are more likely to be depressed than those with normal levels. This Dutch study, researchers measured levels of 25- hydroxyvitamin -D and PTH in 1,282 participants aged 65 to 95, of whom 26 were suffering from major depression and 169 from minor depression. They found 25-hydroxyavaitamin D to be 14% lower in depressed subjects ( average: 19 ng /ml.) In bth depressed and non- depressd participants, Vitamin D was far below optimal ranges of 50-60 ng/ml of 25 hydroxyvitamin D of blood indicative of how pervasive Vitamin D deficiencies have become.
Serum PTH levels were 33% higher in those with major depression compared with their non- depressed counterparts. Higher PTH can be caused by inadequate Vitamin D status.

The Peer Review Journal cited above is ------
Hoogendijk WJ, Lips P, Dik MG, Deeg Dj, Beekman AT, Pennix BW,
Depression is associated with Decreased 25-hydroxyvitamin D and Increased parathyroid hormone levels in older adults.
ARCH GEN PSYCHIATRY. 2008 MAY: 65 (5) : 508-12.