Vitamin D can reduce risk of depression in children: study

However,the study says those who get adequate vitamin D have 10 per cent lower risk of developing depression,the ‘Daily Mail reported.

For their study,the researchers looked at vitamin D levels in more than 2,700 children when they were aged nine and 13. Those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were more likely to show signs of depression.

Children with higher levels were also more likely to show a decline in depressive symptoms in their teenage years.

The study investigated levels of two forms of the vitamin — D2 and D3 — and found the strongest anti-depression link with D3,say the researchers.

However,lead researcher Dr Anna-Maija Tolppanen said further research is needed before a change in medical practice could be recommended.

Vitamin D is mainly made by the action of sunlight on the skin. It’s also abundant in oily fish like tuna.