Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences

Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

ISSN: 2155-9600

+32 25889658

Is lack of vitamin D making us more depressed?


22nd European Nutritional Science Congress

November 26-27, 2018 | Barcelona, Spain

Modupe Obilanade and Serafina Musi

St Pauls Clinic, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci

Abstract :

Vitamin D is vital in calcium and phosphate regulation. These nutrients are essential for the growth and development of bones, teeth and muscle. A deficiency of Vitamin D can consequently result in bone and muscle pain. The body is able to synthesis Vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors. In the UK from late March/early April to the end of September (summer), most people are able to obtain their vitamin D. Previous studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency can also affect mental health, such studies argue that there is a prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in depressed patients. Consequently, this study compared two groups one in summer and one in winter, to find out if there was significant correlation between a lack of Vitamin D and depression. In conclusion, this study evidenced a decrease in Vitamin D levels in winter but found no significant diagnosis or treatment of depression during winter. Background & Aim: We are from a small inner-city surgery from Newport, Wales. Our patients come from various cultures and races, with a predominance of Asian population. Vitamin D plays an important role in regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism in our body. Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin by the action of sunlight. Well known weather conditions and lack of sun in the UK are well transcribing the lack of vitamin D affecting our patients. Also, we asked ourselves if there is a link between this and clinical depression. Method: We reviewed our patients with a deficiency of vitamin D (less than 30 nmol/L) over two periods of time from 01.04.2016 - 01.10.2016 summer group and 02.10.2016 - 31.03.2017 winter group. In these two groups we reviewed patients suffering from depression as well. Results: For the summer group we found 13 patients with a vitamin D level varying between below detection and 27 nmol/L. While in the winter there were 31 patients with vitamin D levels varying from 10-24 nmol/L. In both study groups age vary: summer group age is 19-75 years while winter group age is 14-67 years. Patients from the summer group were 10 of Asian origin and 3 of Caucasian origin. While in the winter group there were 19 Asians, 1 African and 11 Caucasians. The main complaints in the summer group that resulted in lab results were muscle cramps, general aches and pains, tiredness. In the winter group there were some additional complaints such as skin lesions, specific joint ache, general review and alcohol abuse. In the summer group there were 9 patients with a record of depression and 4 were actively treated with antidepressants. In the winter group there were 11 patients with a record of depression and 4 patients were actively treated for depression, of those 3 were Caucasians and one Asian. Conclusion: In the two groups studied there is no significant increase of diagnosis or treatment of depression during winter periods. It is well shown that patients vitamin D is low in more patients during winter time. Perhaps the increase of general symptoms of ache and pain during cold weather is resulting in more patients being investigated. Recent Publications: 1. Musi. F, Obilanade. M and Ahlawat. S (2017) â??Is there a link between hypothyroidism and increased liver function in patients with diabetes mellitus? presented at 1st International conference on Fatty Liver, Seville, Spain 2017 2. Musi. F and Obilanade. M (2017) â??Diabetes Mellitus: From National guidelines screening to practiceâ?? presented at International Diabetes Federation Congress, Abu Dhabi 2017 3. Maheshwar. A, Gomez. K, Obilanade. M, Evans. R (2002) Efficacy of Laser Palatoplasty: Four yearsâ?? resultsâ??, Int J Clin Pract, 56/7, 501â??503 4. Johnson. I, Smith. I, Akintunde. M, Robson. A, Stafford. F (1996) Assessment of Pre-operative Investigations of Thyroglossal Cystsâ??, JR Coll Surg Edinb, 41:48â??49

Biography :

Modupe Obilanade is the Senior General Practioner in St Paul’s Clinic Newport South, Wales. She graduated from College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She initially specialised in Otorhinolaryngology before changing to General Practice. She did her Vocational Training in Gwent South Wales, UK. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons, both in Otorhinolaryngology. She is an alumnus of Galilee International Management Institute where she obtained a Diploma in Health Systems Management. A recent paper published and presented at the 1st International conference on Fatty Liver, Seville Spain 2017, entitled ‘Is there a link between hypothyroidism and increased liver function in patients with diabetes mellitus?’. This study evidenced a link between hypothyroidism and increased liver function with patients with diabetes mellitus, this led to a paper suggesting for changes to ‘the National guidelines in the screening practice of diabetes mellitus’, this was presented at the International Diabetes Federation Congress, Abu Dhabi 2017.

E-mail: Modupe.Obilanade@gp-w93039.wales.nhs.uk

 

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