A recent study from Rutgers University looked at how vitamin D influences brain function in older adults. While many people know that vitamin D is important for strong bones, researchers are now exploring its effects on memory, learning, and reaction time.
Vitamin D comes from sunlight, food, and supplements. Many older adults take vitamin D supplements to stay healthy, but scientists are still learning about the best dosage for different age groups. In this study, researchers focused on overweight and obese women between the ages of 50 and 70 to see how vitamin D affected their brain function.
The study lasted one year, and the women were divided into three groups based on how much vitamin D they took each day. The first group took 600 international units (IU), which is the recommended daily amount.
The second group took 2,000 IU, and the third group took 4,000 IU. All participants were encouraged to lose weight during the study, as weight loss can also impact brain health.
The results showed that the women who took 2,000 IU of vitamin D every day had better memory and learning abilities than those who took only 600 IU.
However, the study also revealed something unexpected. Women who took 2,000 IU had slightly slower reaction times, and those who took 4,000 IU experienced even more delay in their reactions.
Reaction time is an important factor for older adults because slower responses can increase the risk of falls, which may lead to serious injuries like fractures. Previous research has already suggested that taking more than 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily might raise the risk of falling.
This study supports that idea and suggests that taking 4,000 IU per day could be especially risky for older people. If reaction time slows too much, it may affect balance and walking, making everyday activities more dangerous.
While these findings provide useful insights, scientists still have questions. More research is needed to confirm whether slower reaction times directly lead to more falls and injuries.
It is also unclear if men and women respond to vitamin D in the same way. Future studies may help determine the safest and most effective dosage for different groups of people.
If you are interested in protecting your brain health, there are many other factors to consider besides vitamin D. Some studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet, which includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, may help keep the brain sharp.
Others have found that B vitamins and a high-fiber diet might reduce the risk of dementia. Antioxidants, found in foods like berries and nuts, may also support brain function as people age.
The Rutgers study, published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series A, was led by researcher Sue Shapses. The findings remind us that while vitamin D has benefits, more is not always better.
It is important to find the right balance—one that improves memory without slowing down reaction times. If you take vitamin D supplements, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about the best dosage for you.
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 health information, please see recent studies about heartburn drugs that could increase risk of dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
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