Abstract

The ever-popular Vitamin D (VD) is commonly known as the «sunshine vitamin» [1] and (like sunshine) is implicated to positively alter mood. VD itself is known as a secosteroid hormone, recognized as a neuroprotective factor which plays a role in brain development [2, 3]. VD is involved in a range of important physiological processes, such as in promoting cell growth and differentiation, facilitating immunomodulation regulation, and being involved in neurotransmission, and anti-inflammatory effects. On the other hand, low concentrations or deficiency of VD have been associated with various mental and neuropsychiatric disorders, consisting of psychotic and mood disorders, autism, and cognitive decline [2, 3]. No doubt, depression plays a very important role in women’s disease-related disabilities. The current paper will review and summarize recent research on the relation of VD levels and the epidemiology of depression in women. In this paper, we will outline relevant studies about the relationship between VD and depression in women in an attempt to provide useful recommendations in terms of future scientific questions that need to be addressed in this research area.