A report in the January 2013 issue of Clinical Nutrition examined the link between low vitamin D and the risk of developing depression and panic disorder.

The study analyzed 18,558 people at age 45, all born in 1958. The participants were analyzed for vitamin D levels and evidence of common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias.

The researchers found an inverse relationship between Vitamin D levels and depression and panic disorder. At age 45, a vitamin D level of 30ng/dl was associated with a 43 percent lower risk of depression and a 67 percent lower risk of panic attacks.

This study provides support for the association of low vitamin D levels and subsequent risk of depression in mid adulthood.

Human being have the ability to manufacture vitamin D from sun exposure. This may be why people notice an improvement in mood when exposed to natural sunlight and tanning salons.

One should try to get at least ten minutes of sun exposure a day without sunscreen. The normal level of vitamin D is 30 to 100ng/dl. If your levels are low, it can be easily replaced with an oral form of vitamin D3 daily.