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Vitamin D and Brain Function

There are many vitamin D receptors in the brain. It has been discovered that vitamin D plays a very important role in maintaining and achieving what may be considered a healthy mind. There is more research necessary in this particular area of vitamin D functions, but it is worth mentioning because vitamin D levels have been noted in children with brain dysfunction.

Behavioral and cognitive difficulties and how they are associated with low vitamin D levels is still unclear, but what is known is that low vitamin D levels create depression in the elderly. Often accompanied by an overactive parathyroid, low vitamin D levels have been noted to increase depression in older adults, and in other mental disorders.

This information is important because instead of treating patients with dangerous psychotropic medications (many of which have hazardous side effects) depression could be treated with a higher intake of vitamin D or more calcium and exposure to sunlight.