Research from Perth's The Kids for Child Health Research shows that symptoms of depression in young men may be associated with low vitamin D levels.
The study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry,examined the association between vitamin D levels and mental health in young adults from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.
The research showed that low vitamin D levels were associated with increased symptoms of depression in males and that this research supported previous studies that identified the link between vitamin D levels and brain activity.
Vitamin D appears to be involved in brain function and it is thought to help to control symptoms of depression by altering chemical balances.
Lead researcher Dr Lucinda Black said the study used both a questionnaire and blood tests during the 20-year follow-up to determine the relationship between vitamin D and mental health.
"Participants were asked to fill out a standard questionnaire designed to assess depression, anxiety and stress and to provide a blood sample so we could measure the concentration of vitamin D in the body."
"We then used a scale to assess mental health based on their questionnaire responses and this indicated that young adult males in particular showed a concerning link between low levels of vitamin D and depression," says Dr Black.
The study showed no such association with anxiety and stress nor did the study show a link between vitamin D and depression in the females tested.
Researchers say they don't know exactly why the link exists between depression and vitamin D levels in young men but not young women and that further research is needed to examine the relationships further.
Dr Black said additional studies are also needed to see if there is any benefit of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of depression.
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Citation: Black LJ, Jacoby P, Allen KL et al. (2013) Low vitamin D levels are associated with symptoms of depression in young adult males. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, published online 13 November 2013.
About the Raine Study
The Raine Study is jointly conducted by The Kids for Child Health Research and the University of Western Australia. The study started in 1989, when 2900 pregnant women were recruited into a research study at King Edward Memorial Hospital to examine ultrasound imaging. The mothers were assessed during pregnancy and health and lifestyle information was collected on the mother and the father. After the children were born, they were assessed at birth, at one year, then two, three and five years of age. Further follow-ups of the cohort have been conducted at eight, ten, 14, 17, 20 and now 23 years of age. Find out more at www.rainestudy.org.au