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Midlife Vitamin D May Cut Dementia Risk
2 Apr
Summary
- Higher Vitamin D in midlife linked to less tau protein.
- Tau protein buildup is a key Alzheimer's disease marker.
- Study followed 793 people for an average of 16 years.
Taking a daily Vitamin D supplement may help shield against dementia, according to recent research. A study involving 793 individuals without dementia found that higher Vitamin D levels in midlife were associated with lower amounts of tau protein in the brain years later. Tau accumulation is strongly linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
The research, published in Neurology Open Access, monitored participants for an average of 16 years. Brain scans revealed that higher Vitamin D levels correlated with reduced tau protein, though no connection was found with amyloid beta protein. Experts suggest that modifying Vitamin D levels in midlife could be a modifiable risk factor to potentially lower dementia risk.
While the study measured Vitamin D levels only once, researchers accounted for factors like age and depression. Health experts recommend Vitamin D supplements, especially for older adults, to support overall health. This research adds to ongoing investigations into interventions that may slow biological aging and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.
