Low Vitamin D Status and Suicide: A Case-Control Study of Active Duty Military Service Members

Authors: John C. Umhau, David T. George, Robert P. Heaney, Michael D. Lewis, Robert J. Ursano, Markus Heilig, Joseph R. Hibbeln, Melanie L. Schwandt

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051543

Abstract Summary

Military personnel with the lowest vitamin D levels (below 15.5 ng/mL) showed double the suicide risk compared to those with higher levels, according to a study of 495 suicide cases. Over 30% of subjects had deficient vitamin D status. While mean levels didn’t differ between cases and controls, the lowest octile faced significantly elevated risk, suggesting vitamin D supplementation might help reduce suicide rates.

Why Brain? 🧠

Military members with severely low vitamin D levels face double the suicide risk compared to those with higher levels, suggesting vitamin D supplementation could be a novel suicide prevention strategy.

License: CC0 (Public Domain).

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