The Caring Corner®
Vitamin D Deficiency Could Lead To Alzheimer’s
Growing up, we were always encouraged to eat our fruits and vegetables and drink our milk because they were loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, which contribute to a healthy body. Eating right and staying active are two of the most important things we can do as we age. Our body functions better when eat well and helps us to avoid numerous diseases. Maintaining the daily recommended intake of vitamins keeps us protected and helps the absorption of other nutrients. Vitamin D contributes to the absorption of calcium and a deficiency could be very harmful to our health.
Rutgers University scientists have found that low levels of Vitamin D are linked with a faster decline in cognitive functions in older adults, putting them at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that independent of race or ethnicity, a lower level of Vitamin D was associated with faster declines in memory and executive function performance which corresponds to an elevated risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Maintaining a balanced diet and exposing the skin to sunlight is the major source of Vitamin D. Dietary Vitamin D is obtained through dairy consumption. Study participants with a low Vitamin D deficit had cognitive declines that were two-to-three times faster than those with adequate Vitamin D levels. Those with adequate Vitamin D levels showed some decline over the five year study whereas those without adequate levels declined much quicker in only two years.
