Study: this ‘sunshine vitamin’ can improve brain function
A new study looking at how vitamin D, aka the “sunshine vitamin,” affects cognitive function highlights just how important it is to maintain adequate levels of the vitamin for good brain function.
Published December 7, 2022, in the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the study found that, “higher brain 25(OH)D3 concentrations were associated with a 25% to 33% lower odds of dementia or mild cognitive impairment,” and the higher concentrations “were associated with better cognitive function prior to death.”
While study authors said more research is still needed to understand the mechanisms by which this works, they added that there is, “an urgent need for preventive strategies to reduce the burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia as the population ages.”
It’s estimated that more than 150 million people worldwide will have some form of dementia by 2050. Researchers noted there are many ways to get vitamin D, from getting sensible sun exposure to consuming foods like salmon, trout and tuna, as well as taking dietary supplements.
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