Can Vitamins Help with Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is marked by feelings of depression, lethargy, and lack of motivation to the extent if begins to interfere with normal life functioning. This SAD occurs most frequently during the winter months, but can also occur when a person does not spend any time in the sun, such as those who work midnight shifts and sleep during the day, or can occur during rainy seasons in some locations.

Light, especially sunshine, stimulates the production of various chemicals in the body that can prevent SAD. Exposure to sunlight helps the body keep higher levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps a person have a sense of well being. When sunlight exposure is limited, serotonin decreases, and thus SAD and other problems can occur.

When someone is diagnosed with SAD, doctors often prescribe the use of light boxes to simulate natural sunlight to help the body produce a vitamin known as vitamin D. However, research is now showing that vitamin D taken as a supplement in sufficient doses can actually replace some sunlight exposure and help increase serotonin levels in someone affected by SAD.

The recommended dosage of vitamin D would vary from person to person, but the guideline on the back of two bottles of different vitamin D supplements on the shelf in the stores indicates that the normal dosage for an average person for vitamin D should be 200 to 400 IU of vitamin D per day, and people over 70 should increase this to 600 IU.

However, for someone who suffers from SAD, research is now showing that taking up to 1000 to 4000 IU per day can provide additional benefits from SAD symptoms without any adverse affects on the user. It's best to consult your health care professional for the proper vitamin D dosage for you.

As with any vitamin and mineral, the best source is from food. If one chooses to take supplements, vitamin D supplements will, like all vitamins, have a better absorption rate if taken with a meal, especially one containing natural vitamin D.