Vitamin D and Depression: What Does the Evidence Show?

I’m Tom Verghese, a UK consultant psychiatrist. I make evidence-led videos about mental health and lifestyle psychiatry.

This one touches on the relationship between vitamin D and our mental health, particularly mood; I have these discussions very regularly with my patients. This video separates treating a deficiency from using vitamin D as an antidepressant and explains why high-dose self-treatment is not the answer. Perhaps the take-home is that vitamin D is important, but it is not a universal treatment for depression. A genuine deficiency is worth finding and treating, along with other lifestyle components of someone’s overall care plan.

As always folks, this is general information, not individual clinical advice. It’s worth discussing your own circumstances with your healthcare provider

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Vit d
00:05 Introduction
00:39 Vitamin D Deficiency Statistics
01:28 Seasonal Variation
01:48 How the Body Makes Vitamin D
02:43 Food Sources & Supplementation
03:50 Vitamin D & Mental Health
04:55 Practical Advice
05:55 Mechanisms & Final Thoughts
06:07 Sunny Holiday Study

EVIDENCE AND REFERENCES:

National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements – Vitamin D health professional fact sheet

UK Department of Health and Social Care and NHS vitamin D guidance, based on SACN recommendations

Mavroeidi A, Aucott L, Black AJ, et al. Seasonal variation in 25(OH)D at Aberdeen (57°N) and bone health indicators: could holidays in the sun and cod liver oil supplements alleviate deficiency? PLOS ONE. 2013;8(1):e53381.

Ronaldson et al., 2022 – UK Biobank prospective cohort

Mikola et al., 2024 – systematic review and meta-analysis

Dose-response meta-analysis, 2024

SUPPORT
If you’re struggling, in the UK you can call Samaritans free on 116 123. Outside the UK, find local support at

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