| in D, a fat soluble nutrient found in oily fish, eggs, vitamin | | | | Diet is also considered an important influence on |
| fortified foods like milk, cereals and drinks, or naturally | | | | dementia risk - a balanced diet, regular exercise and |
| received from sunlight might act as an effective | | | | lots of social interaction are believed to be key to |
| mental health therapy aid by helping hold off the mental | | | | keeping this debilitating, life altering condition at bay. |
| decline that can affect people as they age - this | | | | The team of researchers from the Peninsula Medical |
| according to the latest research efforts of a team of | | | | School in Exeter, the University of Cambridge and the |
| British and U.S. scientists. | | | | University of Michigan, looked at 2,000 people over |
| This vital nutrient is also known to be important in | | | | age 65. |
| keeping bones healthy and helping strengthen the | | | | They measured vitamin D levels via blood work as |
| immune system. | | | | well as asking volunteers to complete a test designed |
| It’s even been linked to the prevention of | | | | to assess mental decline. The subjects used in the |
| cancers like colon, breast and ovarian. | | | | work had taken part in the Health Survey for England, |
| Yet many of us don’t get enough. | | | | completed in 2000. |
| The recommended intake of vitamin D is 600 IU a day, | | | | Just over 200 of the study participants were found to |
| though a more accurate recommendation is that both | | | | have significant cognitive impairment, the team saw |
| children and adults get at least 1000 IU per day. | | | | that those with lower vitamin D levels were at least |
| Eating a diet with the right amount of vitamin D | | | | two times more likely to have impaired thinking. As |
| isn’t the easiest thing to do. This is why | | | | levels of vitamin D went down, levels of cognitive |
| supplements have become so popular. | | | | impairment went up. |
| What’s more, as we age, our skin is less able | | | | The paper detailing the study appears in the |
| to absorb vitamin D from the sun, so older people | | | | December 2008 issue of the Journal of Geriatric |
| depend more on food sources (or supplements) for | | | | Psychology and Neurology. Of course more work is |
| this key nutrient. | | | | needed to solidify the relationship between vitamin D |
| Vitamin D deficiency affects an estimated 50% of | | | | and keeping the aging brain healthy and vibrant. Still this |
| adults and children in the United States, so it’s a | | | | is a good start. |
| widespread problem. | | | | Dr. Iain Lang of the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter |
| Beyond our difficulty getting enough vitamin D through | | | | points out, “Given the growing burden of care |
| diet, we all spend our time in the sun lathered in | | | | associated with dementia, even if it reduced 10 per |
| sunscreen. Wearing sunscreens of SPF 15 is known to | | | | cent of dementia, it would make a massive difference. |
| block almost all vitamin D synthesis by the skin. | | | | The amount that’s contained in a regular |
| Not only older adults, but anyone who is obese or | | | | multi-vitamin tablet is fine.” |
| overweight are also naturally less able to make vitamin | | | | So if you’re in your middle years and |
| D from sunlight. | | | | concerned about your dementia risk, being sure you |
| Earlier studies have suggested that vitamins may have | | | | get enough vitamin D from your diet, or exposure to |
| a beneficial effect on our cognitive function, and we | | | | natural sunlight, can help as an effective mental health |
| also know that if you have impaired cognitive function | | | | therapy aid keeping you sharp for years to come. |
| you’re more likely to develop dementia. | | | | |