Australian Mental Health Research is on the verge of path breaking news that suggests possible links between Vitamin D deficiency and schizophrenia. Reduced vitamin D levels in the mother during pregnancy and conception could spark off the onset of this disorder, according to the research report, although it remains to be proved conclusively.
Decade long frozen Danish samples hold the clues that will help unravel this potential link between Schizophrenia and Vitamin D. Dr Darryl Eyles, of the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, is slated to commence the study in Denmark involving an analysis of the Blood samples.According to the presentation made by Dr Eyles to the Australian Neuroscience society, Vitamin D deficiency in rats right from the conception stage resulted in psychotic abnormalities their offsprings. The rodents also exhibited structural changes in the brain akin to changes found in humans afflicted with schizophrenia. It was also observed that , when Vitamin D supplements was combined in the diet for rats, the offsprings recored no such abnormalities.This theory pending adequate proof, holds immense promise for women who wish to plan a family, who can certainly reduce potential risks to the child by ensuring adequate consumption of diet rich in Vitamin D. Dr Eayles will be analysing 16,000 blood samples of Danish babies stored 30 years earlier and study them systematically against records to check out if those born with low Vitamin D levels ran a risk of developing Schizophrenia in early adulthood.If this is proved, it may also encourage women to ensure they have moderate exposure to sunlight or consume Vitamin D supplements in their diet, lending credence to the incidences of schizophrenia being more common amongst people born in winter or spring.
Though it is still a little premature in the day to recommend pregnant women with Vit D supplements , the day might not be far off once this study proves conclusive. Psychiatrist Philip Mitchell, of the University of NSW has expressed intrigue at this astounding link between Vit D and Schizophrenia , its importance yet to be demonstrated amply
