By: Peter Egan

A new meta analysis by a group of Iranian scientists which was published July 22 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has scientists in shock after establishing that vitamin D deficiency - the same nutritional/hormonal shortcoming that seemingly leads to every other known disease, illness or medical condition on earth (sure, there are some exceptions, but it sure seems that way at times) - increases one's chances of developing schizophrenia by over 200%.

The meta analysis surveyed 19 studies conducted previously in hopes that a review of the data from all 19 of the same or similar studies would shed some light on a possible relationship that had yet to be established. Combined, the studies used in the analysis comprised of 2800 individual participants.

What the scientists found was that a vitamin D deficient individual runs a risk 2.16 times that of a person whose D levels fall within normal ranges of developing a set of neuropsychological disorders commonly referred to as schizophrenia.

While the exact cause of schizophrenia remains a matter for speculation and debate, what is no longer confined to the realm of the unknown or unproven is that people with healthy vitamin D levels are far less likely to develop the disorder, while unsafe levels drastically increase the odds that a given person will see his or her cognitive state decline to such a point as to merit a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

The scientists cautioned against assuming anything with regard to the role of supplements in the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia, citing the need for further research before any scientifically viable conclusions can be drawn establishing causality from either the perpective of supplements serving as a preventative measure or a mechanism of treatment.

The study also found schizophrenics who had already been diagnosed to be 65% more likely than non-schizophrenics to be deficient in vitamin D.

Further Reading: http://vitamind3blog.net/schizophrenia-vitamin-d/