Ongoing research has suggested a possible link between Vitamin D deficiency and dementia. Dementia is not a disease in itself, rather it is a syndrome linked to brain decline. Simply put, the term refers to the symptoms that occur when the brain isn’t functioning properly, often manifesting as memory loss and confusion.
Research is continuing as doctors and scientists look to uncover potential causes of dementia in an attempt to prevent its onset. Part of this research is focused on the link between Vitamin D and dementia, with one study calling the link between the two “significant”.
Published in BMC Neurology, the research sought to investigate the associations between Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Twelve prospective cohort studies and four cross-sectional studies were analysed by researchers.
Their findings showed “positive associations” between Vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk of dementia (by 32 per cent) and Alzheimer’s disease (by 34 per cent).
Other recent studies have found that a severe lack of Vitamin D can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 51 per cent.
“These results demonstrated that Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for dementia or AD [Alzheimer’s],” the researchers stated, highlighting “significant associations” between the deficiency and both conditions. They added that the risk is even greater with severe Vitamin D deficiency compared to moderate levels.
Additionally, another recent study of around 2,400 people with dementia and 3,760 who had suffered a stroke, found that a deficiency in Vitamin D was linked to an increased risk of both dementia and stroke.
Elina Hypponen, PhD, senior study author and director of the Australian Centre for Precision Health at the University of South Australia, said: “Our study is the first to examine the effect of very low levels of vitamin D on the risks of dementia and stroke, using robust genetic analyses among a large population”.
However, as this area of research is still developing its important to remember our findings and understanding of a potential link between Vitamin D and dementia is still ongoing. With some studies finding “no association” between the two, according to the Mayo Clinic.
During the winter months, the NHS has encouraged people to take Vitamin D supplements “to keep bones and muscles healthy.”
The NHS says: “Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.
“Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged 1 to 4, and all babies (unless they’re having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.”
Good sources of Vitamin D include oily fish such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel; red meat, eggs and liver, although pregnant women should avoid liver.