Friday June 20, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new Korean study recently published in PLoS One has linked circulating vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels to depressive symptoms suggesting that vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency may increase risk of depression.

The study based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V-1 2010 shows that among 3570 Koreans aged 20 and older, those with depressive symptoms had lower serum vitamin D (25(OH)D levels compared to those without depression, 41.6 nmol/L vs. 44.3 nmol/L.

Among those with sufficient vitamin D (25(OH)D), that is, 50 nmol/L or higher, 28% fewer subjects reported depressive symptoms after adjustment for confounders.

The study also  finds that females, problematic alcohol drinkers, current smokers and those who experienced weight loss were at 261%, 133%, 43% and 78% increased risk of depression.

The study concluded "low serum levels of 25(OH)D were associated with an increased risk for depression symptoms in Korean adults."  (David Liu, PHD)

Chung HK, Cho Y, Choi S, Shin MJ.  The Association between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Depressive Symptoms in Korean Adults: Findings from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010.  PLoS One. 2014 Jun 19;9(6):e99185. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099185. eCollection 2014.