Vitamin D Deficiency and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Are you getting enough vitamin D? Low levels have been linked to depression, but researchers are now finding that vitamin D deficiency is also linked to psychiatric illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Vitamin D is formed from ultraviolet light and regulates calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Both of these minerals are essential for bone growth, and may help protect against cancer and diabetes. We need about fifteen minutes of sunlight a day to get an adequate dose of vitamin D, but wearing sunscreen (which is a good thing) blocks Vitamin D absorption. If you live in a state like Vermont, where the sun shines, on average, one hundred fifty seven days out of the year, you’re likely not getting enough vitamin D. You might want to try eating more foods with Vitamin D like cereals, milk, salmon and tuna. But food sources are usually not enough to provide the amount of Vitamin D we need per day. To see recommended doses by age click here. Though the upper safe limit of vitamin D is set at 800 IU per day, some sources advise we take as much as 1,000 IU a day if we are not getting enough sun exposure. But, as I mentioned in an early post about taking omega 3 supplements to treat a traumatic brain injury, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor first. The only way to really know if you are low in Vitamin D is through a blood test.
A 2008 study of fifty-three psychiatric patients revealed low levels of vitamin D. Though this is a small sample, it adds to the research showing an association between vitamin D deficiency and psychiatric illnesses like PTSD.
Hopefully, these studies come as a relief to those of you with PTSD – now you have another option, other than taking anti-depressants, to treat your symptoms.
Maybe I’m wrong but trauma is trauma and I don’t think vitamin D deficiency is a miracle cure for ptsd nothing can erase the memories of trauma so here we have a take a pill for all your ills mentality
Steve, thanks for reading the post and responding. Yes, I agree, Vitamin D is not a “miracle cure.” As I noted in my post, there’s an “association,” a “link” to vitamin D deficiency and mental illness, such as PTSD. We may not be able to rid the traumatic memories (believe me, I’ve been living with them for thirteen years), but I’m always on the look out for friendly ways to possibly (I emphasize “possibly” because, no, there is no cure all) relieve symptoms, and then sharing them with others, because I know there are lot of us out there.
Thanks again, Steve, for commenting. Best
I work at vA Medical Center and we are currently using vitamin D to treat PTSD in Veterans and it is working tremendous results! Look it up there are a lot of articles published about veterans with PTSD and vitamin D treatment
Thanks for visiting my website and reading the post. Glad to hear that you’re using Vit D at the VA center, and the results are positive. I’ve been taking higher doses not only for PTSD but for a TBI – to help ward off inflammation.
Vitamin D is NOT a panacea, But it is as close to one as any nutrient for over 300 ills. People with mental health issues or illnesses like anxiety, depression, manic depression, bi-polar, schizophrenia and suicidal thoughts have Vitamin D Deficiency (and B vitamins too) more common than others.
Thank you, Dr.Page, for your feedback here. It’s helpful to know that B vitamins too play a role in helping people with mental illness. Again, thank you!