Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in older people, according to the most robust study of its kind ever conducted. In fact, older individuals deficient in vitamin D may have double the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study.
Researchers found that in individuals aged 65 and older, those with “low levels” of vitamin D had a 53 percent increased risk of developing dementia, while those with a “more significant deficiency had a 125 percent increased risk.” Both groups were compared to individuals with normal vitamin D levels.
Dementia is one of the greatest challenges of our time, with 44 million cases worldwide — a number expected to triple by 2050 as a result of rapid population aging. A billion people worldwide are thought to have low vitamin D levels and many older adults may experience poorer health as a result.
The key to Vitamin D is absorption. We have combined strontium and Vitamin K2 – both clinically proven to assist the body in absorbing Vitamin D3 – in our best selling Dense Bone formula. The Vitamin D3 in each capsule is 2,000 IU so that you can modulate your dosage according to your needs.
Dense Bone (120 caps)Proprietary Vitamin D3 Formula - The Sunshine Vitamin - Supports Bone, Immunity, Heart & Brain Health View in Store |
Additionally, the study found that otherwise healthy individuals with lower levels of vitamin D were nearly 70 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, while those who had a severe vitamin D deficiency were over 120 percent more likely. That the correlation was so significant came as a surprise to researchers, said Dr. Iain Lang, one of the authors of the study. “We’re quite surprised that the results are so big,” Lang told BBC Radio 4. “I don’t think this is they key to dementia or anything like that, but it’s a really important step in finding out what might be going on there.”
Vitamin D typically comes from sun exposure or a diet involving oily fish and certain dairy products. Supplements are also available, although Lang said the research was unclear as to whether deliberately increased intake could be beneficial. “What we haven’t looked at here is whether, for example, supplementation is something that can… either delay or prevent the onset of dementia,” he told the BBC. “We’re not at that stage yet, but this is indicative that it’s probably time to do that research.”
