Effect of vitamin D supplementation on depressive symptoms and psychological wellbeing in healthy adult women: a double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial

Study answer

What this study found

Vitamin D3 supplementation did not improve mood-related outcomes over winter in this population. At follow-up, there were no significant between-group effects for depressive symptoms (P = 0.339), anxiety (P = 0.862), flourishing (P = 0.453), positive mood (P = 0.518), or negative mood (P = 0.538). The authors concluded that monthly vitamin D3 does not support use for depressive symptoms or psychological wellbeing in healthy adult women.

Study & population

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in healthy premenopausal women aged 18-40 years in Dunedin, New Zealand, conducted over winter.

Intervention

Oral vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 50,000 IU (1.25 mg) was given once monthly for 6 months as gelatine capsules, compared with identical placebo capsules.

Key limitation

The trial was relatively small and limited to healthy young women from a single center in New Zealand, which restricts generalizability.

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Original abstract