Work

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial on the contributions of vitamin D in the control of cardiovascular risk factors, depressive symptoms and suicide risk

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate the contributions of vitamin D supplementation to the control of cardiovascular risk factors and the treatment of depressive symptoms, including suicide risk. Methods: -test or Mann-Whitney test, with odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Significance level was set at 5 %. Results: = 0.001) and suicide risk (p = 0.001). Additionally, 13 of 15 evaluated cardiovascular risk factors showed normalization or significant reduction, without adverse events related to calcium metabolism or other side effects. Improvements included better lipid profile, glycemic control, and inflammatory markers. Clinically, these findings suggest potential for vitamin D as an adjuvant therapy in depression management, contributing to both mental health and cardiometabolic stability. Strengths and limitations: Strengths include the rigorous double-blind, randomized design, probabilistic sampling, and comprehensive clinical-laboratory evaluation. Limitations involve the single-region sample, lack of long-term follow-up after supplementation, and the exclusion of patients with severe comorbidities, which may limit generalizability. Conclusion: Weekly administration of 50,000 IU of vitamin D for six months proved effective in reducing depressive symptoms and suicide risk while improving cardiovascular health markers, highlighting its promise as an accessible, low-cost adjunctive therapy in psychiatric and primary care settings.

Source: American Heart Journal Plus Cardiology Research and Practice

DOI: 10.1016/j.ahjo.2025.100599