Originally Posted by pamela

Researchers are forming such a study now. Evidently, they had enough
circumstantial evidence to get funding. Personally, this last winter, I
have been really upping my D dosage to get more into the upper range of
the 25(OH) vitamin D range and as miserable as the Midwest winter was,
snow and ice on the ground for nearly 2 months straight, and for most of
the last 3 months, with not much sunshine, I felt really good. May mean
nothing, of course, as a sample of 1. My blood test hasn't come back yet
to see how effective the 5,000 mg/day has been over the prior 2,000
mg/day which raised the levels from 24 to 38 ng/mL.


Science News



Vitamin D Lifts Mood During Cold Weather Months, Researchers Say

ScienceDaily (Mar. 8, 2010) — A daily dose of vitamin D may just be what
people in northern climates need to get through the long winter,
according to researchers at Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff
School of Nursing (MNSON). This nutrient lifts mood during cold weather
months when days are short and more time is spent indoors.



"Vitamin D deficiency continues to be a problem despite the nutrient's
widely reported health benefits," said Sue Penckofer, PhD, RN,
professor, MNSON. "Chicago winters compound this issue when more people
spend time away from sunlight, which is a natural source of vitamin D."

Diet alone may not be sufficient to manage vitamin D levels. A
combination of adequate dietary intake of vitamin D, exposure to
sunlight, and treatment with vitamin D2 or D3 supplements can decrease
the risk of certain health concerns. The preferred range in the body is
30 -- 60 ng/mL of 25(OH) vitamin D.

Loyola faculty members plan to take vitamin D research a step further by
evaluating whether weekly vitamin D supplements improve blood sugar
control and mood in women with diabetes. Depression is associated with
increased insulin resistance, so people with diabetes have a greater
risk for the disease than those without depression. Women also tend to
have greater rates of depression and poorer blood sugar control than men
with diabetes.

"There is evidence to suggest that vitamin D supplementation may
decrease insulin resistance," said Dr. Penckofer. "If we can stabilize
insulin levels, we may be able to simply and cost effectively improve
blood sugar control and reduce symptoms of depression for these women."

Loyola is currently enrolling women in this clinical trial. In order to
enter the study, they must be 18 to 70 years of age, have stable type 2
diabetes, signs of depression and no other major medical illness. Eighty
women with type 2 diabetes and signs of depression will be given a
weekly dose of vitamin D (50,000 IU) for a period of six months. Study
participants will be evaluated at three points during this time.

"Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and certain chronic
diseases in particular," Dr. Penckofer said. "Our research may shed
greater light on the role this nutrient plays in managing two conditions
that impact millions of Americans. If proven to be successful, vitamin D
may an important addition to care for diabetes and depression."