Low vitamin D associated with mental decline and dementia
In a study recently published in the journal JAMA Neurology, researchers found a profound link between low levels of vitamin D in the blood and cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. Low vitamin D levels were associated with considerably faster rates of degradation in memory and executive brain function.
At the start of the study, the participants’ vitamin D levels were checked. After 5 years, those who had been deficient in vitamin D experienced cognitive decline at rates 2-3 times those who had sufficient levels of vitamin D. The researchers anticipated seeing cognitive decline in those with low vitamin D, but they were surprised at how profoundly vitamin D impacts cognition.
Sunlight exposure is the ideal source of vitamin D, but as we age, sunlight alone is not enough. Our bodies require us to take vitamin D supplements. The lab reference range for vitamin D is 30-100 ng/mL. Less than 30 is considered deficient. The “optimal” range is 60-80.
It is important that you have your level checked so that if you need to take a supplement, you want to take the right dosage. If you take little vitamin D, you may not raise your blood level to the optimal range. If you take too much, you may exceed the upper-end of the reference range where vitamin D can have toxic effects.