Association of Serum Vitamin D and Total Antioxidant Capacity Levels With Stress and Anxiety in Young Female Students

Background: Some studies have investigated the relationship between vitamin D and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with psychiatric disorders. However, it seems that results were contradictory and also studies on stress and anxiety, as two common symptoms of psychiatric disorders, were limited. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between stress and anxiety with serum vitamin D and TAC. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 45 non-depressed female students with some degrees of stress and anxiety and 45 controls with no measurable depression, stress or anxiety as the control group at Jundishapur University dorms from April to June 2014. Self-administered questionnaires including food frequency and depression, anxiety and stress scales (DASS-21) were used to assess the dietary patterns and psychological assessment, respectively. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were also measured. Results: Serum concentrations of vitamin D were significantly higher in the control group (P = 0.002) and increasing each unit of vitamin could reduce the risk of stress and anxiety for 3.33. TAC levels showed no significant differences between the groups. Consumption of hydrogenated fats increased the risk of stress and anxiety (odds ratio (OR) = 1.53, P = 0.019). Conclusions: Low vitamin D levels may be associated with higher stress and anxiety. Consumption of hydrogenated fats is associated with higher scores of stress/anxiety. No relationship was observed between total antioxidant concentrations with mood disorders in young female students.