DISCLAIMER: The content provided here is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
As we age, our brains become more vulnerable to those diseases you remember from your grandmothers generation. The biggest fear for me has been that I might end up with dementia or Alzheimers Disease like my grandmother did. It was so difficult watching her slowly lose her memory, get confused, and not recognize her own daughter or grand-daughter.
While there is no known cure for dementia, there have been some interesting recent studies conducted on how we may potentially be able to prevent it with a little sunshine and/or a supplement taken each day. One such study suggests that vitamin D may play a role in preventing the onset of the disease and while no one is saying that this is a cure, my doctor has suggested that I take a pill daily for things like my bones anyway, so if this is an added benefit…I’m all for it. I decided to take a look at what the research has to say about the potential benefits of vitamin D for dementia prevention.
What is Vitamin D?
You may know it as the “sunshine vitamin.” Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps regulate the absorption of calcium and phosphorous in our bodies. It has also been linked to numerous other health benefits such as promoting bone health, reducing inflammation, and boosting immunity. In terms of dementia prevention, vitamin D may help to protect against damage done by free radicals in the body which can lead to cognitive decline over time.
Studies on Vitamin D & Dementia Prevention
One study published in 2018 found that older adults with higher levels of vitamin D were less likely to develop cognitive decline than those with lower levels of the vitamin. The study followed more than 1,200 participants aged 65 and older over a four-year period and found that those with higher levels of vitamin D were 10% less likely to experience cognitive decline than those with lower levels. Another study published in 2017 found similar results; and participants who had higher levels of vitamin D were actually 70% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those with lower levels. Both of these studies suggest that there is a strong connection between adequate levels of vitamin D and decreased risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
It should be noted however, that while these studies are promising they are not conclusive evidence that taking additional vitamin D supplements can prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later in life; however, you might want to bring it up to your doctor and ask him to check your vitamin D levels. These days, when I go for my yearly check-up and bloodwork the doctor always includes a test for vitamin D, and since I use SPF, my levels have been low so he suggested that I take it daily for my bone and immune health anyway. If it helps my memory, that’s a big PLUS.
The research so far indicates that having adequate levels of vitamin D may help decrease your risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later in life; however more research needs to be done before definitive conclusions can be drawn about its protective effects against these conditions. If you’re concerned about your risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease down the road, talk to your doctor about whether taking additional vitamin D supplements might be beneficial for you. They’ll be able to provide you with personalized advice based on your age, medical history, and other factors so you can make an informed decision about how best to protect your brain health going forward.
Do you take vitamin D or get a little sunshine in your life now?
