Older people who lack vitamin D are more at risk of experiencing faster cognitive decline than others.
Researchers from Rutgers University (USA) carried out a study between 2002 and 2010 with 382 people aged 60 to over 90 whose vitamin D level and cognitive level were analyzed once a year on average for five years. Most of the participants were in their 70s.
The study results revealed that the majority of participants (61%) had low blood vitamin D levels. Among them 54% were white and 70% black and Hispanic.
It also showed that vitamin D deficiencies were linked in all volunteers to a more rapid decline in mental abilities, regardless of their ethnicity.
“On average, subjects with severe vitamin D deficiencies experience a decline in mental capacity up to three times faster than those with adequate levels of this vitamin,” says Joshua Miller, professor of nutritional sciences at the ‘Rutgers University.
The researchers said more research is needed to further this link.
“This would provide us with additional data that is needed to help determine whether vitamin D supplements might help halt cognitive decline and prevent dementia in older adults.”
Fill up on vitamin D
A recent study by the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) reveals that more than half of French people (58%) lack vitamin D, with a concentration of less than 20 nanograms per ml of blood 15% are even in deficiency (less than 10ng/ml). In order not to be in deficiency, it would be necessary to have at least a blood concentration of vitamin D between 30 and 45 ng/ml of blood.
Vitamin D is found in particular in oily fish, egg yolks and offal, but it is mainly produced by our body when our skin is exposed to the sun. “Exposure to the sun, practicing physical activity and maintaining a stable and ‘normal’ weight would make it possible to fill up on this essential nutrient for health”, according to the Inserm researchers. But beware: vitamin D supplementation should absolutely not be done without medical advice.
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