Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia

(Baonghean.vn) - According to in-depth research results published on Wednesday, August 6, severe vitamin D deficiency will double the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in people over 65 years old.

An international team of researchers analyzed the blood levels of vitamin D in 1,658 healthy older Americans over a six-year period. During this time, the team found 171 people developed dementia and 102 developed Alzheimer's disease.

Low vitamin D levels increased the risk of dementia by 53%, rising to 125% when comparing people with severe vitamin D deficiency with those with normal vitamin D levels.

Published in the journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the study found that low vitamin D levels increased the risk of dementia by 53%, rising to 125% when comparing people with severe vitamin D deficiency with those with normal vitamin D levels. Subjects with low vitamin D levels also had a 69% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and 122% of them had lower immune function.

“We expected to find a link between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but the results surprised us because the link was twice as large as we expected,” said lead author Dr. David Llewelly of the Department of Medicine in the UK.

“Clinical trials are now needed to determine whether consuming vitamin D-rich foods such as salmon, mackerel, etc. and supplements can slow down or even prevent the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease,” he added.

This study also identified high vitamin D levels of around 50 nmol/l that allow for the maintenance of a healthy brain.

Vitamin D comes from three sources including fatty fish, supplements and is synthesized under the skin through the radiation effect of ultraviolet rays in sunlight into cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in the body.

Fifteen minutes a day in the sun can provide enough vitamin D for the body, and it can be stored in the liver and fat for several months. However, researchers say that in older people, their skin is often less efficient at synthesizing vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. And in many countries, winter sunlight is too weak for the skin to synthesize enough vitamin D.

Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is a major public health challenge, with 44 million cases worldwide. By 2050, this number is expected to triple with the rapidly aging population. Currently, it is estimated that one billion people worldwide are vitamin D deficient.

Chu Thanh

(According to LaParisienne)