New research offers promising hope in the battle against cognitive decline.
Biochemist Rhonda Patrick shared a study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, which found a strong link between vitamin D supplementation and a lower risk of developing dementia.
Researchers followed over 12,000 people for a decade and discovered that those who took vitamin D supplements were 40 percent less likely to develop dementia compared to non-users. Within the first five years alone, 84 percent of supplement users remained dementia-free, while only 68 percent of non-users did.
The protective effects of vitamin D were especially strong in those with mild cognitive impairment or who carried the APOE4 gene, a well-known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
Carriers of this gene can have an increased Alzheimer’s risk, but vitamin D supplementation still appeared to reduce dementia risk by about 33 percent in this group.
Once processed by the body, vitamin D becomes a steroid hormone that influences over 1,000 genes, including many involved in brain health. It regulates nearly 5 percent of the human genome by entering cell nuclei and turning genes on or off, which plays a key role in everything from inflammation to neural communication.
Vitamin D deficiency is shockingly common, with about 70 percent of Americans falling into the deficient or insufficient range. Fortunately, supplementation can easily correct this.
Some small trials have also indicated that vitamin D supplementation may improve cognition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s, though results in healthy adults are mixed.
If you’re not getting enough sun, are over 50, or carry extra body fat, a daily vitamin D supplement could help bridge the gap. As always, consult with a healthcare provider to check your levels and determine the right dosage.
Related: Biochemist Rhonda Patrick Says Most Supplements Are Useless—These 5 Are the Exception
