Dementia is a condition that affects many older adults around the world, causing problems with their thinking and behavior.
It’s a major health issue, especially as people age. But imagine if there was a way to stop dementia from developing.
Recent research from the University of South Australia brings us closer to this possibility, showing that not getting enough vitamin D could be linked to a higher risk of developing dementia.
The study, a first of its kind globally, looked into how vitamin D levels affect the brain and the chances of getting dementia and stroke.
The researchers found that people with lower levels of vitamin D had smaller brain sizes and were more likely to develop dementia and stroke.
They also found that in some groups, up to 17% of dementia cases could be prevented if everyone had normal vitamin D levels.
Dementia gradually worsens over time and affects a person’s ability to think and remember. In Australia alone, nearly half a million people live with dementia, making it the second most common cause of death in the country.
Worldwide, over 55 million people have dementia, with 10 million new cases diagnosed every year.
The study, supported by Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council, looked at data from 294,514 people from the UK Biobank. They focused on how low vitamin D levels (25 nmol/L) can increase the risk of dementia and stroke.
The research method they used, called Nonlinear Mendelian randomisation, helped them figure out if a lack of vitamin D causes these health problems.
Professor Elina Hyppönen, the senior investigator at the University of South Australia’s Australian Centre for Precision Health, emphasizes the importance of these findings.
Until now, it was hard to know what would happen if we could avoid a lack of vitamin D. This study is the first to show the impact of deficient vitamin D levels on the chances of getting dementia and stroke.
The research is fundamental because many people around the world don’t get enough vitamin D. For example, in the UK, where the study was conducted, up to 17% of dementia cases might be linked to not having enough vitamin D.
Dementia is a challenging disease that can be heartbreaking for both the individuals who have it and their families.
If we can change this by ensuring no one has a severe vitamin D deficiency, it could significantly improve health and well-being for many people.
Professor Hyppönen points out that most of us probably get enough vitamin D, especially if we spend time in the sun.
But for those who don’t get enough sun, or can’t get enough vitamin D from their diet, taking vitamin D supplements might be necessary.
This study highlights the potential of vitamin D in preventing dementia, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against this challenging condition.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about heartburn drugs that could increase the risk of dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, and prevent dementia.
The research findings can be found in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
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