Dementia is a complex condition, with many causes and factors – but at least one of them is a lack of vitamin D, according to a new study.
The genetic research by the University of South Australia found that low levels of vitamin D are associated with lower brain volumes as well as a higher risk of dementia and stroke; that there is a causal effect of vitamin D deficiency and dementia; Breitling Replica Watches and that in some populations, increasing everyone to normal levels of vitamin D could cut dementia rates by up to 17 per cent.
Senior investigator and Director of UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health, Professor Elina Hyppönen (pictured), says that the research is important for dementia prevention as well as emphasising the need to eliminate vitamin D deficiency.
“Vitamin D is a hormone precursor that is increasingly recognised for widespread effects, including on brain health, but until now it has been very difficult to examine what would happen if we were able to prevent vitamin D deficiency.
“In some contexts, where vitamin D deficiency is relatively common, Breitling Replica Watches our findings have important implications for dementia risks. Indeed, in this UK population we observed that up to 17 per cent of dementia cases might have been avoided by boosting vitamin D levels to be within a normal range,” she said.
Dementia is Australia’s second leading cause of death, with around 487,500 Australians living with the disease; more than 55 million people around the world have dementia, and 10 million new cases are diagnosed every year.
“If we’re able to change this reality through ensuring that none of us is severely vitamin D deficient, it would also have further benefits and we could change the health and wellbeing for thousands.
“Most of us are likely to be OK, but for anyone who for whatever reason may not receive enough vitamin D from the sun, Cheap Tag Heuer Replica modifications to diet may not be enough, and supplementation may well be needed,” said Professor Hyppönen.
