Scientists from Hippokration General Hospital and elsewhere found that vitamin D may reduce anxiety and depression in people with prediabetes.
As people get older, they can become more likely to experience anxiety and depression, which are mental health conditions that can be difficult to manage.
This is especially true for older people who have prediabetes, which means they are at risk of developing diabetes.
Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.
It is often a precursor to type 2 diabetes, a chronic disease in which the body is unable to properly use and store glucose (sugar) for energy.
Prediabetes can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as other health problems such as heart disease and stroke.
However, the good news is that prediabetes can often be reversed or prevented with lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Symptoms of prediabetes may not be noticeable, but some people may experience increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, or slow healing of cuts or bruises.
Prediabetes is often diagnosed through blood tests that measure blood sugar levels, such as the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or the hemoglobin A1C test.
Vitamin D is an important nutrient that plays many roles in the body.
One of its primary benefits is helping the body absorb calcium, which is crucial for maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Vitamin D also helps regulate the immune system, supports muscle function, and aids in cell growth and division.
Research has also suggested that vitamin D may have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain diseases.
Studies have shown that vitamin D may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a condition in which bones become weak and brittle, as well as type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
Vitamin D may also play a role in mental health. Some research has found that low levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of depression and other mood disorders.
However, more research is needed to understand the exact relationship between vitamin D and mental health.
In this study, researchers wanted to see if taking vitamin D supplements could help improve anxiety and depression symptoms in older people with prediabetes.
The researchers randomly assigned participants to one of two groups: one group received a weekly dose of vitamin D3, and the other group received nothing.
The researchers then measured anxiety and depression levels in all participants using questionnaires at the beginning of the study, 6 months later, and 12 months later.
The results showed that people who took vitamin D supplements had lower anxiety and depression scores than those who did not take the supplements.
This was true at both 6 months and 12 months after the start of the study.
In conclusion, the study suggests that taking weekly vitamin D supplements may be helpful for older people with prediabetes who are experiencing anxiety and depression.
However, more research is needed to understand how vitamin D works to improve mental health and whether these findings can be applied to other populations.
It’s important to talk to a doctor or healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you are already taking medication or have other health conditions.
A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, and good sleep habits can also help improve mental health and overall well-being.
It’s important to take prediabetes seriously and work with a healthcare professional to develop a plan to manage it.
With the right lifestyle changes and medical treatment if needed, it’s possible to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and improve overall health.
The research was published in Metabolites and was conducted by Evangelia Zaromytidou et al.
If you care about depression, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and extra-virgin olive oil could reduce depression symptoms.
Copyright © 2023 Scientific Diet. All rights reserved.
