When a person’s skin reacts to the sun’s ultraviolet UV-B rays, it creates vitamin D or the sunshine vitamin. However, most people must add a supplement to get enough of the vitamin that helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones, fights infection, and promotes heart health. Additionally, this vitamin may prevent dementia.
A recent study concluded that older adults taking a vitamin D supplement were less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Despite comparing 12,388 dementia-free individuals over a 10-year period, the research depended on self-reporting and observation to conclude: Vitamin D may prevent dementia, especially in high-risk situations like heredity.
Scientists found the participants who took vitamin D showed a 40% lower dementia incidence than those who did not. Women benefitted significantly over men when comparing the supplement’s effects on normal cognition versus mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Lastly, carriers of APOE4, the gene thought to contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease, showed the vitamin was significantly greater than those who did take the supplement.
Several scientific experts agreed the study’s findings build on previous research conclusions. However, researchers must do more work before telling people that adding vitamin D supplements will help to keep them dementia-free.
Dementia Is Not Inevitable
Dementia is not a typical result of growing old. Instead, it is a medical condition or illness affecting a person’s brain. This disorder is caused by damage to or the loss of nerve cells and their connections to the brain.
While some form of dementia is most commonly older adults ages 65 and older, many middle-aged adults and those with Down syndrome develop early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
Daily Recommended Dose of Vitamin D
Most people do not get enough sun. As a result, they must get their daily recommended dose by eating certain foods or taking supplements. Some foods fortified with this nutrient include orange juice, dairy milk, nut milk, and ready-to-eat cereal.
Other foods naturally high in this vitamin are salmon, swordfish, tuna fish, sardines, beef liver, cod liver oil, egg yolks, and cheese.
It is possible to be vitamin D deficient, meaning the body does not have enough of the vitamin to remain healthy. It is also possible to have toxic levels. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends 25 micrograms daily.
Before adding any supplement to your diet, consult a doctor or healthcare provider.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
FDA: Daily Value on the New Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels
Mayo Clinic: Dementia
Alzheimer’s Association: Vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia: Effects of sex, APOE, and baseline cognitive status; by Maryam Ghahremani, Eric E. Smith, and more
Science Media Centre: expert reaction to observational study on vitamin D supplementation and dementia diagnoses
Featured and Top Image by FORMAT arw Courtesy of Unsplash
Inset Image by Michele Blackwell Courtesy of Unsplash
