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Naturopathic Medicine in Mesa AZ

Tara Peyman, Naturopathic Doctor

5416 E. Southern Ave., Ste. 110 Mesa, AZ 85206 phone: (480) 985-0000

D is for Depression

(0)
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
by Tara Peyman, ND
Most people are aware that vitamin D is important for bone health. Research is also always emerging confirming the importance of vitamin D for prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and a variety of other diseases. However, recent studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency may increase your risk of depression as well. 
Vitamin D is actually a hormone that you create in your skin from exposure to the sun. Vitamin D is then activated in the liver and kidneys. You can also take in vitamin D from certain foods, including fish and eggs. Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that can be stored in the body, along with vitamins A, E, and K. Vitamin D supplementation can be very useful for improving stores, in the form of liquid drops or capsules. 
The association between low vitamin D levels and depression is particularly strong in people over the age of 60, and people who live in areas with fewer sunny days. Some people with depression have seasonal affective disorder, which involves fluctuations of mood with the change of weather or seasons. If a person is already deficient in vitamin D, lack of exposure to the sun only worsens vitamin D deficiency, which can in turn exacerbate depression. 
It is important to have your vitamin D levels tested by your doctor. This is done with a simple blood test. "Normal" levels are between 30-100 ng/mL, however, a level below 60 ng/mL is suboptimal. If your levels are below 60 ng/mL, you may consider supplementation to increase your vitamin D stores to prevent illness. 

If you have depression or another chronic illness, and you have low or suboptimal vitamin D levels, you may benefit from vitamin D supplementation as a part of your homeopathic or conventional treatment regimen. 

References: 
[1] Vitamin D deficiency associated with depression: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20595420
[2] Low vitamin D increases risk of depression and cardiovascular disease: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20569717
[3] Vitamin D deficiency associated with chronic pain: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20498201$0$0
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Tara Peyman is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the state of Arizona. She has an expertise in treating bipolar disorder and depression with natural medicine. Dr. Peyman has also developed comprehensive, naturopathic programs for weight loss, diabetes and smoking cessation. She practices at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors in Mesa (480.985.0000) and in Tempe (480.456.0402). Call for a free 15-minute consultation, or visit www.DrTaraPeyman.com for more information.
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