Vitamin D & Mood — A Connection Worth Noticing

Vitamin D is well known for its role in bone health, but research increasingly links low vitamin D levels to poor mood, fatigue, and even depression. A 2023 review from the Journal of Affective Disorders found that vitamin D supplementation significantly improved depressive symptoms, especially in those with existing deficiencies.

What many people don’t realise is how common low vitamin D is — especially during winter months, for those with darker skin tones, or people who work indoors.

Signs of deficiency may include:

• Low mood or irritability

• Muscle aches or weakness

• Fatigue

• Frequent colds or illness

How to boost your levels:

• Get sunlight: Aim for 10–20 minutes of direct sunlight on your skin (arms or legs) most days, ideally in the morning.

• Eat more: Fatty fish (salmon, sardines), egg yolks, and fortified plant milks.

• Supplement: Consider 1000–2000 IU daily, especially in winter — but get your levels tested first.

Ask your GP for a vitamin D blood test, especially if you’ve been feeling low or sluggish. Sometimes, the smallest biological shifts make a huge difference in how we feel emotionally.