Vitamin D and depression in adults: A systematic review

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#humans #vitamin-d #depression #adult #vitamin-d-deficiency

Vitamin D and depression in adults: A systematic review

Dionisie et al., 2025 | Biomol Biomed | Systematic Review

Citation

Dionisie Vlad, Gaman Mihnea Alexandru, ... Ciobanu Adela Magdalena. Vitamin D and depression in adults: A systematic review. Biomol Biomed. 2025-Apr-30;25(10):2171-2196. doi:10.17305/bb.2025.12331

Abstract

Depression is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Although the pathogenesis of depression remains far from fully understood, current research suggests a potential role for vitamin D due to its involvement in brain functioning. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation has shown promising results in the treatment of patients with depression. Therefore, the present study aimed to systematically review the available research investigating the association between vitamin D levels and the onset of depression. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number: CRD42024515918). A search was performed across PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases, yielding a total of 8,052 potentially eligible articles. After the removal of duplicates and ineligible records, and exclusion based on title and abstract screening, 297 original full-text articles were assessed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ultimately, 66 articles were included in this systematic review. Most of the included studies employed a cross-sectional design (N = 46). Overall, the data analyzed in this review indicate an association between depression and vitamin D serum levels, particularly in studies using cross-sectional designs. Only a few longitudinal studies demonstrated that lower vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of developing depressive symptoms or major depressive disorder, highlighting an important research gap. However, it remains to be established through future research whether acute or chronic vitamin D supplementation could have a protective effect against the development of depression.

Key Findings

However, it remains to be established through future research whether acute or chronic vitamin D supplementation could have a protective effect against the development of depression.

Outcomes Measured

  • depression

Population

Field Value
Population depression
Sample Size 46
Age Range See abstract
Condition depression

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Vitamin D
  • Depression
  • Adult
  • Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Dietary Supplements

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d-mood

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09