As the days darken and the mercury descends, many people start to experience the cold emotional touch of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression triggered by the shift in seasons.

Navigating social media during these times is akin to crossing a minefield, with self-appointed fitness gurus making lavish claims about the miracle cure of supplements. Pop some vitamin D3 and K2, they say, and wave goodbye to your winter woes. But these health hype peddlers might be peddling more fiction than fact.

Symptoms of SAD are worryingly similar to those of depression - persistent sadness, a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and an unnatural inclination to hibernate. It's our bodies' way of responding to the change in lighting conditions, which could disrupt our internal clock and mess with our mood-regulating hormones. But does this mean we should follow every vitamin D enthusiast who pops up on our feeds?

Well, according to a study published in Nutrients, the claims might not be completely baseless. Some research points towards a relationship between a deficiency in vitamin D (an essential nutrient that gets a large amount of airtime in these claims) and a higher risk of developing SAD.

But it's not as simple as just guzzling some supplements. Sobriety check: there is little to no mention of vitamin K taking a lead role in combating SAD, despite the insistence of online 'experts'. And the studies showing a link between vitamin D supplementing and SAD recovery aren't exactly the most robust pieces of research we've seen.

"Sure, there's some evidence hinting that vitamin D might influence your mood," says Taylor Wallace, an adjunct associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. "But we're far from jumping onboard the supplement ship. The results are far from conclusive, and taking a supplement shotgun approach to health is never advisable."

So, where does this leave us?

If you're beastly tired of wading through the supplement hoopla and are desperate for ways to keep SAD at bay, there are valid solutions available. Seasoned health professionals recommend light therapy (20 minutes a day in front of a special UV-filtering light box usually does the trick), targeted serotonin reuptake inhibitors, dietary enrichment, and getting as much daylight as possible.

While the supplement crusaders continue their march online, remember that there's no quick fix to tackling SAD. Embrace a well-rounded approach to health: maintain a balanced diet, seek professional help if symptoms persist, and get sun on your face whenever possible. If you start behaving like a grizzly in winter-hibernating and excessively sleepy-it's time to talk to a mental health professional, not an influencer pushing a miracle cure.