Vitamin D's Effects on Women's Emotions
Dr. Julia Fedotova
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue on “Vitamin D's Effects on Women's Emotions” will include both experimental/clinical articles and reviews focused on the most recent advances in the research into Vitamin D and psychological/emotional states in women, highlighting its beneficial effects in different disorders.
VD is a unique bioregulatory molecule as it can be synthesized in the skin in addition to its dietary sources. The well-studied function of Vitamin D is associated with its ability to regulate metabolic processes in skeletal tissue by affecting mineralization, maintaining a balance between the formation and resorption of bone tissue, thereby contributing to the prevention of osteoporosis and the occurrence of fractures. A correlation between very low Vitamin D levels and numerous neuropsychiatric and psychological diseases, and a correlation between an impact of Vitamin D levels and normal brain functioning have also been found in recent studies.
A close interaction exists between estrogens and Vitamin D in women. Experimental studies demonstrated a crosstalk between Vitamin D and other steroid receptor pathways. Estrogens imbalance can produce the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency since estrogens induce the increased activity of the enzyme system causing Vitamin D action. Some clinical studies showed that mild depressive symptoms are more frequently registered in women with Vitamin D insufficiency, and especially in women with Vitamin D deficiency. Women are more vulnerable to VD deficiency and its potential health consequences. Estrogens imbalance can produce the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency since estrogens induce the increased activity of the enzyme system causing Vitamin D action. Some clinical studies showed that mild depressive symptoms are more frequently registered in women with Vitamin D insufficiency.
The major focus of this Special Issue will be on Vitamin D on affective state, emotional state, psychological aspects in women with different hormonal balance, including studies concerning their pathophysiological and psychological mechanisms. Special attention will be addressed to the preclinical and clinical studies of Vitamin D in premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal women.
Dr. Julia Fedotova
Guest Editor