Vitamin D Supplementation Linked to Reduction in Suicide, Self-Harm

THURSDAY, Feb. 2, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Supplementation with vitamin D is associated with a reduced risk for suicide and intentional self-harm among U.S. Veterans, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in PLOS ONE.
Jill E. Lavigne, Ph.D., M.P.H., and Jason B. Gibbons, from the Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention in Canandaigua, New York, conducted a retrospective cohort study of U.S. Veterans supplemented with vitamin D to examine the association with suicide attempts and intentional self-harm. Veterans with any vitamin D3 or vitamin D2 fill between 2010 and 2018 were matched to untreated control veterans in a 1:1 ratio.
The researchers found that vitamin D3 and vitamin D2 supplementation was associated with a reduced risk for suicide and self-harm (hazard ratios, 0.552 and 0.512 for vitamin D3 and vitamin D2, respectively). Compared with controls, supplemented Black veterans and veterans with 0 to 19 ng/mL vitamin D serum levels had a significantly lower risk (hazard ratios, 0.362 and 0.359, respectively). Greater risk reductions were seen for supplementation with higher vitamin D doses than lower doses (log average dosage hazard ratio, 0.837).
"As a relatively safe, easily accessible, and affordable medication, supplementation with vitamin D in the VA may hold promise if confirmed in clinical trials to prevent suicide attempts and suicide," the authors write.
Related Posts
Clinical Management Guidelines Lacking for Monkeypox
FRIDAY, Aug. 19, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- There is a lack of evidence-based...
AAAAI: EMR Alert Effective for Reducing Food Allergy Panel Testing
MONDAY, Feb. 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- An electronic medical record (EMR)...
IDSA: Maternal RSVpreF Vaccine Would Cut Clinical, Economic Burden
MONDAY, Oct. 16, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Maternal vaccination with a bivalent...
Emailing Your Doctor Could Soon Cost You
FRIDAY, Feb. 10, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Email has become an easy and essential...