According to a significant study recently published in the journal, Neurology, older adults severely deficient in vitamin D may be more than twice as likely to develop dementia than those who are not. Participants consisted of a group of 1,658 Americans aged 65 and older in the National Heart Blood and Lung Insittute’s Cardiovascular Health Study.
Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. Currently there are more than five million Americans living with the disease and this number is expected to soar to more than 13.5 by 2050.
The more deficient in vitamin D, the greater the risk of developing dementia. Still unknown is whether eating foods high in this vitamin or taking supplements can delay or prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Vitamin D has also been linked to preventing asthma, diabetes, and cancer. My pulmonologist, cardiologist, internist, and family physician have all recommended I take it for various reasons.
Vitamin D may be absorbed from sunshine and supplements. It also is found in eggs and oily fish like salmon and sardines.
©2014, Mary K. Doyle
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