Success story: Panic, depression, and vitamin D

We received a heartwarming story from one of our customers that we would like to share with you:

For four years, I lived with constant panic and a sense of hopelessness. Everything seemed boring and unnecessary. I had no energy, barely managed to go to the bathroom, and would think "what’s the point of us urinating? It’s so pointless." Eventually, the panic got worse. It got to the point where every day I wondered how I could take my own life. It became so intense at the end, and I was so scared of my thoughts. I didn’t tell anyone how I felt. I refused to seek help because I was afraid of being given medication (I don’t even take painkillers) and I was ashamed of the entire situation. Going to a psychologist was not an option for me. I had no idea what was happening in my body or why I was thinking such horrible thoughts.

One day, I told my mum how I was feeling. I explained how it felt in my body, my thoughts, and that I couldn’t live anymore. Mum told me that it was called panic. She had actually experienced the same thing when she was younger. I searched online for [depression]. There were many people writing about vitamin D deficiency. I remember thinking, "Yeah, maybe a little vitamin tablet will make me happy again... but no, I don’t think so." I ordered vitamin D and just seven days after starting to take them, my old self started to come back.

And now, three years later, I feel better than ever. Not a single thought of hopelessness, worry, or not wanting to live, and the panic disappeared when the [depression] disappeared. I will always order Innate's vitamin D. (And other vitamins that I need since I’m a vegetarian). I am forever grateful that Innate's products are pure, GMO-free, and organic. It is so important to have the right ingredients, otherwise, they do more harm than good in the body. I wish that everyone who suffers from [depression] could try vitamin D before resorting to medication, or worst of all, taking their own life. Every day is a miracle; take care of each other!

/Alexandra

Greatlife.eu comments

A review study published by Penckofer S et al. in Issues in M. Health Nursing writes: "It has been estimated that over a billion people have either a mild deficiency or a full deficiency of vitamin D." Penckofer S et al., Issues in M. Health Nursing (2003). Berk et al. reported that vitamin D deficiency can play a role in depression and possibly in other brain-related disorders. Berk et al. (2007)

The mechanisms by which vitamin D may be associated with brain-related disorders are not fully understood. It has been reported that there are vitamin D receptors in the hypothalamus, which may be important for brain functions. Some researchers have reported that vitamin D is essential for brain development. (Eyles et al., Neuroscience 2003).

Eyles et al. (2003) report that when rats, whose mothers had vitamin D deficiency, were born, the deficiency negatively affected brain development. The rats also showed a reduced expression of nerve growth factor. Although such changes have been observed in the brains of individuals with brain diseases, it is too early to draw conclusions based on this research.

The Vitamin D Council writes that one theory concerning depression and vitamin D is that vitamin D can influence both the quantity and function of a group of chemicals called monoamines, such as serotonin. Many drugs designed to make people feel happier work by increasing the amount of monoamines in the brain. Therefore, researchers have now suggested that vitamin D, which also increases the levels of monoamines, could potentially be used to treat depression.

Anglin RE et al. (2013) in The British Journal of Psychiatry reviewed all published research on depression and vitamin D up to 2013 and concluded that:

• Vitamin D deficiency in the blood is linked to depression
• Vitamin D deficiency in the blood makes it more likely that an individual will develop depression
• Vitamin D supplementation can improve or prevent depression

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