Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 30 Researches
7
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 8 Reviews
8.5
Supplement Facts
Serving Size:  1 Vegetable Capsule
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol)
125 mcg (5000 IU)
625%

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Vitamin D3 improves depressive symptoms
We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial to explore the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on depression. Our study involved 56 adults with mild to moderate depression, who were assigned to either a vitamin D group or a placebo group. Over the course of eight weeks, the vitamin D group received a high dose of 50,000 IU cholecalciferol every two weeks, while the control group received a placebo.

After the treatment period, we observed that the participants who received the vitamin D3 experienced a significant reduction in depression severity, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Interestingly, this improvement in mood occurred independently of any changes in inflammatory biomarkers like IL-1β, IL-6, and hs-CRP, which we also assessed during the study.

This indicates that while vitamin D supplementation may positively impact depressive symptoms, its effects are not directly linked to the inflammatory markers we evaluated. Our findings suggest that vitamin D3 could be a helpful addition to depression treatment strategies, particularly in individuals with low vitamin D levels.
Read More
9
Vitamin D supports depression management
We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to explore how cholecalciferol, a form of vitamin D, influences depressive symptoms in individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This clinical study lasted for 12 weeks and involved participants who were either given a daily dose of 4000 IU of cholecalciferol or a placebo.

Throughout the study, we measured various factors, including the participants’ depression levels using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, as well as important biological markers like C-peptide, serotonin, and neurotrophin-3.

Our findings showed a significant reduction in depression scores among those taking cholecalciferol compared to the placebo group. Additionally, we observed a notable increase in C-peptide levels, which may indicate some metabolic benefits, although no significant changes were found in serotonin and neurotrophin-3 levels.

Ultimately, while cholecalciferol appears to alleviate mild to moderate depressive symptoms in T2DM patients through improved C-peptide levels, its impact on serotonin and neurotrophin-3 remains unclear. This highlights vitamin D as a potentially helpful option for managing depression alongside diabetes.
Read More
8
Vitamin D deficiency worsens depression
We examined the connection between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and depression in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our research, which utilized a large database from the TriNetX network, involved over 17,900 matched CKD patients aged 50 and older. They were divided into two groups based on their vitamin D levels: those with deficiency (20 ng/mL or lower) and those with adequate levels (30 ng/mL or higher).

The findings were striking. We discovered that those with VDD had nearly double the risk of developing depression within a year compared to those with sufficient vitamin D levels. This risk was especially pronounced in men and remained consistent across different stages of CKD. Even patients who had borderline low vitamin D levels faced an increased chance of depression.

Our study suggests that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels might be crucial for mental health in CKD patients. However, we also recognize the need for further randomized trials to definitively establish whether vitamin D supplementation can help prevent depression in these individuals. The implications of our findings could pave the way for new approaches to managing mental health in patients dealing with CKD.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9
Boosted energy
1 people found this helpful
The best vitamin D3! It strengthens the immune system, combats depression, and improves sleep, making one feel lively and energetic. After just a few days, I experienced an energy boost and found it easier to wake up. Since balancing my D3 levels with this product, I haven't caught a single cold. Truly an excellent result!
Read More
9
Essential product
Highly recommended! This is a necessary product for everyone. I use it from September to April because I need a refill of vitamin D, which also helps with my lifelong battle against depression. I truly love this product!
Read More
9
Fights depression
An excellent "sun" vitamin! If you live in a low-sunlight area, this supplement should be your go-to. It boosts immunity, helps combat depression, improves sleep, and generally makes one feel happier.
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Possibly Effective
Based on 30 Researches
7
  • All Researches
9
Vitamin D and Magnesium Aid Depression
We conducted a study to evaluate whether supplementing with magnesium and vitamin D could help alleviate mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms in individuals suffering from long-COVID. The clinical trial included 60 participants, aged 52.8 years on average, who had been diagnosed with hypomagnesemia, vitamin D deficiency, and mild-to-moderate depression.

Participants were divided into two groups: one received magnesium chloride along with vitamin D, while the other group only received vitamin D. Over four months, we monitored the effectiveness of these supplements in reducing depressive symptoms, using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scale to measure changes.

Our results revealed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms for those taking both magnesium and vitamin D, with 73.2% of them reaching a positive outcome score on the BDI. In contrast, the control group, which received only vitamin D, showed a less dramatic improvement, suggesting that the combined treatment may offer more benefits for those struggling with depression related to long-COVID.

While both groups experienced some improvement, our findings indicate that magnesium plus vitamin D supplementation presents a promising option for individuals coping with depression in the wake of COVID-19.
Read More
9
Vitamin D supports depression management
We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to explore how cholecalciferol, a form of vitamin D, influences depressive symptoms in individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This clinical study lasted for 12 weeks and involved participants who were either given a daily dose of 4000 IU of cholecalciferol or a placebo.

Throughout the study, we measured various factors, including the participants’ depression levels using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, as well as important biological markers like C-peptide, serotonin, and neurotrophin-3.

Our findings showed a significant reduction in depression scores among those taking cholecalciferol compared to the placebo group. Additionally, we observed a notable increase in C-peptide levels, which may indicate some metabolic benefits, although no significant changes were found in serotonin and neurotrophin-3 levels.

Ultimately, while cholecalciferol appears to alleviate mild to moderate depressive symptoms in T2DM patients through improved C-peptide levels, its impact on serotonin and neurotrophin-3 remains unclear. This highlights vitamin D as a potentially helpful option for managing depression alongside diabetes.
Read More
9
Calcitriol impacts depression positively
We explored how calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D3, impacts depression linked to neuroinflammation. Using a well-structured study with control and experimental groups, we examined the effects of calcitriol on mice exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a substance that induces depressive-like behavior and neuroinflammation.

During our experiments, we found that calcitriol not only reduced the inflammatory response in brain cells but also improved behavioral symptoms associated with depression. In particular, it lowered the levels of inflammation-related molecules while promoting anti-inflammatory ones in the brain's hippocampus, an area important for mood and memory.

We observed that calcitriol helped alleviate some of the negative behavioral effects triggered by LPS. The treatment also appeared to prevent the activation of microglia, the brain's immune cells, by interfering with a specific signaling pathway involved in inflammation.

Overall, our findings suggest that vitamin D3 could offer promising benefits as a treatment for depression by tackling neuroinflammation and protecting neuronal health.
Read More
We looked at how vitamin D3 could help combat depression, especially in the context of chronic stress. The study involved 40 male Wistar rats, divided into different groups to compare the effects of vitamin D3, the antidepressant fluoxetine, and a combination of both.

The rats underwent 21 days of mild but unpredictable stress, simulating conditions often linked to depression. To measure the effects, we conducted several behavioral tests and collected blood samples to assess hormonal changes.

Results showed that vitamin D3 had a positive impact similar to fluoxetine on the rats' depressive behaviors. Specifically, we found that vitamin D3 improved results in key behavioral tests, suggesting it can help protect against stress-induced anxiety and depression.

Notably, the levels of corticosterone, a stress hormone, were lower in rats that received vitamin D3, indicating a protective effect. Overall, this study emphasizes the potential of vitamin D3 in alleviating depressive symptoms resulting from chronic stress.
Read More
9
Vitamin D3 improves depressive symptoms
We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial to explore the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on depression. Our study involved 56 adults with mild to moderate depression, who were assigned to either a vitamin D group or a placebo group. Over the course of eight weeks, the vitamin D group received a high dose of 50,000 IU cholecalciferol every two weeks, while the control group received a placebo.

After the treatment period, we observed that the participants who received the vitamin D3 experienced a significant reduction in depression severity, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Interestingly, this improvement in mood occurred independently of any changes in inflammatory biomarkers like IL-1β, IL-6, and hs-CRP, which we also assessed during the study.

This indicates that while vitamin D supplementation may positively impact depressive symptoms, its effects are not directly linked to the inflammatory markers we evaluated. Our findings suggest that vitamin D3 could be a helpful addition to depression treatment strategies, particularly in individuals with low vitamin D levels.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 8 Reviews
8.5
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Boosted energy
1 people found this helpful
The best vitamin D3! It strengthens the immune system, combats depression, and improves sleep, making one feel lively and energetic. After just a few days, I experienced an energy boost and found it easier to wake up. Since balancing my D3 levels with this product, I haven't caught a single cold. Truly an excellent result!
Read More
9
Essential product
Highly recommended! This is a necessary product for everyone. I use it from September to April because I need a refill of vitamin D, which also helps with my lifelong battle against depression. I truly love this product!
Read More
9
Fights depression
An excellent "sun" vitamin! If you live in a low-sunlight area, this supplement should be your go-to. It boosts immunity, helps combat depression, improves sleep, and generally makes one feel happier.
Read More
9
Reduced fatigue
My wife and I have been taking this vitamin for over a year and are very pleased. We experience fewer colds, and our chronic fatigue and depression have noticeably lessened. Our endocrinologist recommended it, and it has proven effective without allergens!
Read More
9
Enhanced vitality
I purchased this for my dad, who now feels a surge of energy! He claims life is more vibrant, with depression lifted and his mood and appetite improved. I believe older individuals need vitamin D to strengthen their bones, so I highly recommend this!
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

9
Boosted energy
1 people found this helpful
The best vitamin D3! It strengthens the immune system, combats depression, and improves sleep, making one feel lively and energetic. After just a few days, I experienced an energy boost and found it easier to wake up. Since balancing my D3 levels with this product, I haven't caught a single cold. Truly an excellent result!
9
Reduced fatigue
My wife and I have been taking this vitamin for over a year and are very pleased. We experience fewer colds, and our chronic fatigue and depression have noticeably lessened. Our endocrinologist recommended it, and it has proven effective without allergens!
7.5
Mood enhancer
An essential vitamin during the autumn-winter period! I take a course of vitamin D annually and encourage my family to do the same. This vitamin increases immunity naturally and positively impacts emotional well-being. My introduction to it was for treating depression, and I find this dosage perfect for my needs.
8
Vitamin D and activity reduce depression
We explored the connection between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, physical activity, and the risk of developing depression in older adults. Using data from a large, longitudinal study called the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we focused on cognitively healthy individuals aged 50 and older.

Our findings showed that higher levels of 25(OH)D were associated with a significantly lower risk of depression. When we combined high levels of vitamin D with regular physical activity, the protective effect against depression was even greater, especially in those aged 65 and older.

Specifically, we noted that individuals with high levels of vitamin D and who engaged in physical activity had a 23.1% lower chance of developing depression. This combination not only highlights the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels but also emphasizes incorporating physical activity into our daily routines as essential for mental health.

Ultimately, our results underscore the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation and regular physical activity as strategies for preventing depression, particularly in older adults.
7
Vitamin D's Role in Depression
We explored how vitamin D might influence depression by examining its role in serotonin synthesis. A significant aspect of our investigation centered on how this nutrient could potentially reduce the severity of depression and, in some cases, lessen the reliance on antidepressants, specifically SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

Several studies revealed that vitamin D, particularly its active form known as calcitriol, plays a crucial role in many bodily processes, including brain function. We learned that a deficiency in vitamin D can be linked to mood disorders and cognitive difficulties. It appears that sufficient levels of vitamin D might help increase serotonin in the brain, which is often a primary target of depression treatments.

In some research, combining vitamin D supplementation with SSRIs showed promising additive effects on managing psychiatric conditions. This suggests that while vitamin D alone might not replace traditional treatments, it could offer significant benefits in collaboration with them. However, we must remain cautious as the exact impact of vitamin D and its independent effect on serotonin levels is still an area that requires further exploration.
8
Vitamin D reduces depressive symptoms
We explored how vitamin D supplementation might affect depressive symptoms and whether it has a dose-dependent relationship with these symptoms. By analyzing data from 31 randomized controlled trials involving nearly 24,200 participants, we aimed to clarify the potential benefits of vitamin D on depression. Our research revealed that, generally, increasing vitamin D intake appeared to lead to a slight reduction in depressive symptoms across different groups of individuals, whether they had a prior diagnosis of depression or not.

The effect was particularly significant for those already experiencing depressive symptoms, showing a marked improvement with higher dosages. Interestingly, we noted that the most substantial improvements occurred at a dosage of 8000 IU/day. Moreover, we found that shorter intervention periods of eight weeks or less, or those lasting between eight to 24 weeks, were associated with stronger positive effects than longer trials.

On the other hand, when it came to anxiety symptoms, vitamin D supplementation did not show a significant benefit. This suggests that while vitamin D might be a helpful tool for managing depression in the short term, we still need more high-quality trials to fully understand its impact on anxiety and to make a stronger case for its use in treating these symptoms.
We investigated whether vitamin D supplementation could help reduce depressive symptoms and lower the likelihood of needing antidepressants in older Australian adults. The D-Health Trial, which involved over 21,000 participants aged between 60 and 84, provided a solid platform for our research. This trial was carefully designed, using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled approach, which is the gold standard in clinical research.

Participants answered the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure their depressive symptoms multiple times over five years, while national prescribing records allowed us to track the use of antidepressants.

Our findings revealed that monthly vitamin D supplementation did not show any significant benefits for alleviating depression overall. The average difference in PHQ-9 scores between the vitamin D and placebo groups was negligible. Moreover, the incidence of antidepressant use in both groups remained quite similar.

However, when we looked closer, some interesting trends emerged. For individuals already on antidepressants at the start of the study, vitamin D did seem to improve their depression scores slightly. Additionally, participants with low vitamin D levels at the outset showed a decrease in the risk of starting antidepressants after supplementation. Unfortunately, those with sufficient vitamin D levels saw an increased risk of antidepressant use.

Thus, while we didn’t find strong support for vitamin D's effectiveness against depression in general, our subgroup analyses suggest there might be some nuances worth exploring further.

References

  1. Askarpour M, Hejazi N, Jahromi BN, Eskandari MH, Famouri M, et al. Effects of a Novel Fortified Dairy Product on the Psychological Status and Sleep Quality of Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2025;30:37. doi:10.3746/pnf.2025.30.1.37
  2. Xu X, Jing F, Zhong H, Lin L, Gao T, et al. Synergistic impact of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and physical activity on incident depression: Evidence from prospective cohorts and genome-wide data. J Affect Disord. 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2025.03.004
  3. Bostan ZZ, Şare Bulut M, Gezmen Karadağ M. Can Vıtamın D Reduce the Need for SSRI by Modulatıng Serotonın Synthesıs?: A Revıew of Recent Lıterature. Curr Nutr Rep. 2025;14:39. doi:10.1007/s13668-025-00630-7
  4. Yu C, Liu K, Yao W, Tang D. Associations between the intake of single and multiple dietary vitamins and depression risk among populations with chronic kidney disease. Front Nutr. 2025;12:1492829. doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1492829
  5. Chen IW, Wang WT, Lai YC, Chang YJ, Lin YT, et al. Association between vitamin D deficiency and major depression in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cohort study. Front Nutr. 2025;12:1540633. doi:10.3389/fnut.2025.1540633
  6. Raza ML, Hassan ST, Jamil S, Fatima W, Fatima M. Nutritional interventions in depression: The role of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids in neuropsychiatric health. Clin Nutr. 2025;45:270. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2025.01.009
  7. Rodríguez-Morán M, Guerrero-Romero F, Barragán-Zuñiga J, Gamboa-Gómez CI, Weyman-Vela Y, et al. Combined oral supplementation with magnesium plus vitamin D alleviates mild to moderate depressive symptoms related to long-COVID: an open-label randomized, controlled clinical trial. Magnes Res. 2024;37:49. doi:10.1684/mrh.2024.0535
  8. Yuan Y, Qu L, Sun Q, He P, Zhou X. The Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Perinatal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Alpha Psychiatry. 2024;25:669. doi:10.5152/alphapsychiatry.2024.241553
  9. Jiang R, Lu M, Hua Y, Hong Z. Association between serum vitamin D and depression among non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2025;34:112. doi:10.6133/apjcn.202502_34(1).0011
  10. Putranto R, Setiati S, Nasrun MW, Witjaksono F, Immanuel S, et al. Effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on depressive symptoms, C-peptide, serotonin, and neurotrophin-3 in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Narra J. 2024;4:e1342. doi:10.52225/narra.v4i3.1342
  11. Ghaemi S, Zeraattalab-Motlagh S, Jayedi A, Shab-Bidar S. The effect of vitamin D supplementation on depression: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychol Med. 2024;54:1. doi:10.1017/S0033291724001697
  12. Carnegie RE, Zheng J, Borges MC, Jones HJ, Wade KH, et al. Micronutrients and Major Depression: A Mendelian Randomisation Study. Nutrients. 2024;16. doi:10.3390/nu16213690
  13. Centeno LOL, Fernandez MDS, Muniz FWMG, Longoni A, de Assis AM. Is Serum Vitamin D Associated with Depression or Anxiety in Ante- and Postnatal Adult Women? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2024;16. doi:10.3390/nu16213648
  14. Karnopp TE, Chapacais GF, Gasparini ML, Dos Santos NG, Freitas VDS, et al. The role of vitamin D: a promising pathway to combat neuropsychiatric lupus disorders. Clin Exp Immunol. 2025;219. doi:10.1093/cei/uxae099
  15. Santos HGD, Longoni A, Trettim JP, Lemes IT, Menchaca JC, et al. Deficiency of vitamin D is associated with antenatal depression: A cross-sectional study. Trends Psychiatry Psychother. 2024. doi:10.47626/2237-6089-2024-0908
  16. Wu J, Jiang Y, Liang J, Zhou Y, Chai S, et al. Bidirectional causality between micronutrients and mental illness: Mendelian randomization studies. J Affect Disord. 2025;369:718. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.09.047
  17. Alimohammadi-Kamalabadi M, Ziaei S, Hasani M, Mohammadi S, Mehrbod M, et al. Does vitamin D supplementation impact serotonin levels? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Sci Rep. 2024;7:e2276. doi:10.1002/hsr2.2276
  18. Satyanarayana PT, Suryanarayana R, Yesupatham ST, Varadapuram Ramalingareddy SR, Gopalli NA. Does Vitamin D3 Supplementation Improve Depression Scores among Rural Adolescents? A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2024;16. doi:10.3390/nu16121828
  19. Renteria KM, Constantine E, Teoh CM, Cooper A, Lozano N, et al. Combination of vitamin D and fructooligosaccharides upregulates colonic vitamin D receptor in C57BL/6J mice and affects anxiety-related behavior in a sex-specific manner. Nutr Res. 2024;125:16. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2024.02.003
  20. Wang C, Cui C, Xie X, Chen B, Feng L, et al. Calcitriol attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation and depressive-like behaviors by suppressing the P2X7R/NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2024;241:1329. doi:10.1007/s00213-024-06565-1
  21. Ceolin G, Moreira JD, Quialheiro A, Silva AAM, d'Orsi E, et al. Vitamin D serum concentration is prospectively associated with depressive symptoms in the EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study: a structural equation modeling approach. Braz J Psychiatry. 2024;46:e20233153. doi:10.47626/1516-4446-2023-3153
  22. Sirasangi MI, Roohi TF, Krishna KL, Kinattingal N, Wani SUD, et al. Dietary Co-supplements attenuate the chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in mice. Behav Brain Res. 2024;459:114788. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114788
  23. Evanchuk JL, Kozyrskyj A, Vaghef-Mehrabani E, Lamers Y, Giesbrecht GF, et al. Maternal Iron and Vitamin D Status during the Second Trimester Is Associated with Third Trimester Depression Symptoms among Pregnant Participants in the APrON Cohort. J Nutr. 2024;154:174. doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.10.029
  24. Al-Ramadhan FR, Abulmeaty MMA, Alquraishi M, Razak S, Alhussain MH. Effect of Vitamin D3 on Depressive Behaviors of Rats Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress. Biomedicines. 2023;11. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11082112
  25. Vyas CM, Mischoulon D, Chang G, Reynolds CF, Cook NR, et al. Relation of serum BDNF to major depression and exploration of mechanistic roles of serum BDNF in a study of vitamin D3 and omega-3 supplements for late-life depression prevention. J Psychiatr Res. 2023;163:357. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.069
  26. Sandboge S, Räikkönen K, Lahti-Pulkkinen M, Hauta-Alus H, Holmlund-Suila E, et al. Effect of Vitamin D3 Supplementation in the First 2 Years of Life on Psychiatric Symptoms at Ages 6 to 8 Years: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6:e2314319. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.14319
  27. Lisakovska O, Labudzynskyi D, Khomenko A, Isaev D, Savotchenko A, et al. Brain vitamin D-auto/paracrine system in relation to structural, neurophysiological, and behavioral disturbances associated with glucocorticoid-induced neurotoxicity. Front Cell Neurosci. 2023;17:1133400. doi:10.3389/fncel.2023.1133400
  28. Tarikere Satyanarayana P, Suryanarayana R, Theophilus Yesupatham S, Reddy S, Reddy N. Is Sunshine Vitamin Related to Adolescent Depression? A Cross-Sectional Study of Vitamin D Status and Depression Among Rural Adolescents. Cureus. 2023;15:e34639. doi:10.7759/cureus.34639
  29. Rahman ST, Waterhouse M, Romero BD, Baxter C, English DR, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on depression in older Australian adults. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2023;38:e5847. doi:10.1002/gps.5847
  30. Kaviani M, Nikooyeh B, Etesam F, Behnagh SJ, Kangarani HM, et al. Effects of vitamin D supplementation on depression and some selected pro-inflammatory biomarkers: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2022;22:694. doi:10.1186/s12888-022-04305-3
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