Vitamin D - a key to reducing the risk of suicide?

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin D has a major positive impact on human health. Its daily supplementation regulates calcium metabolism, inflammatory and neuromodulatory processes. More importantly, vitamin D may be an important factor in reducing the risk of suicide among psychiatric patients. This review aims to describe the potential positive effect of vitamin D supplementation in preventing suicide attempts. Method: The literature review was conducted by search of articles in English and Polish languages on PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar, published from 1974 to the 1st of April 2023, following SANRA requirements. The search utilized the following keywords: vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation, suicide, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, anxiety, and autism. The analysis encompassed original studies, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and review articles. Results: There is a limited number of studies investigating the impact of vitamin D supplementation on suicide risk in individuals with mental illness. Several studies suggest that vitamin D may have a beneficial effect on symptoms of mental illnesses. However, the exact mechanism through which vitamin D exerts its therapeutic effects on mental health remains unclear. Incorporating vitamin D into the treatment of the mental disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disease, ADHS, autism spectrum disorder, and anxiety, as well as supplementing it during pregnancy and throughout life, could potentially be an effective therapeutic adjunct for suicide prevention approach. Conclusions: According to all the research and gathered data, there is a correlation between Vitamin D supplementation and a decrease in suicide risk among patients suffering from mental disorders. Several lines of evidence have shown a positive impact on mental health in patients suffering from mental diseases. However, further research is needed to establish the mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of Vitamin D. Keywords: vitamin D, vitamin D supplementation, suicide, psychiatric disorders