Key Nutrients and Mental Health

Key Nutrients and Mental Health

The purpose of the project is to investigate whether an intervention program with vitamin D supplementation is able to improve the biology of stress resilience as well as subjective well-being in individuals with antisocial behavior problems (forensic inpatients).

This is a randomized control trial looking at the effects of vitamin D supplements on mental health in a group of forensic inpatients. More specific the effects of vitamin D will be investigated in relation to underlying biological mechanisms associated with resilience (e.g., serotonin, cortisol, heart rate variability and executive functioning), but also subjective well-being such as sleep quality, anxiety, depression, self-reported resilience and physical activity. About 100 participants will be randomized to an intervention group (vitamin D) or a control group (placebo). The intervention will last for 3-4 months. Pre-test will start in October/November 2017 and post-test in April/May 2018.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with intelligence quotient > 70 will be invited.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with intelligence quotient <70 will be excluded.
• Patients already taking vitamin D.
• Patients with psychotic disorders.