Vitamin D and Dementia

Vitamin D helps keep your bones healthy and is considered as one of the best supplements for boosting immunity. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with weak bones, poor immunity, heart disease and an increased risk of autoimmune disorders.  Can a lack of vitamin D cause dementia? Vitamin D and dementia may not seem to be related but research shows that poor levels of vitamin D may increase the risk. This blog explores the link between vitamin D and dementia. We also delve into the role of vitamin D in supporting overall brain health, its impact on mood, and typical and not-so-typical signs of vitamin D deficiency.  

Vitamin D and Brain Health

It is not yet entirely clear how vitamin D may affect brain function. Studies show that the brain contains vitamin D receptors and the enzymes involved in the production and metabolism of vitamin D are also present in the brain. These findings speak volumes about the possible role of vitamin D in brain health.  

Nearly all the cells in our body have vitamin D receptors. These receptors bind to vitamin D and enable actions which the ‘sunshine vitamin’ is responsible for, such as calcium absorption in the intestines and production of proteins that improve immunity and help the body fight infections.

Can Lack of Vitamin D Cause Dementia?

Dementia is caused by abnormal changes in the brain that causes decline in cognitive functions such as thinking, memory, learning and problem-solving. Insufficient levels can cause confusion, poor concentration, memory loss and mood changes, affecting behaviour and the ability to live an independent, quality life. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Other causes are Parkinson's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and head injury. Can vitamin D deficiency cause dementia? Let’s see what studies have to say about poor vitamin D levels and dementia risk.

Vitamin d deficiency and dementia studies

A 2022 study (published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association) confirmed the presence of vitamin D in the brain and it is the first study to do so.  The researchers assessed vitamin D levels in four major areas of the brain that are closely linked to the different stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that higher levels of vitamin D in the brain were associated with the reduced risk of developing dementia. [1] This study puts the spotlight back on how food and nutrition plays a crucial role in protecting the brain against age-related neuro-degeneration and diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

A study published in BMC Neurology also concluded that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of both dementia and AD. [2] Another study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, supported the benefits of vitamin D for brain health and found that low levels will lead to increases in the risk of dementia and stroke. [3]

Does vitamin D help with dementia? This 2023 study found that vitamin D supplementation may help prevent dementia or reduce the risk of developing dementia. The study concluded that “vitamin D exposure was associated with significantly longer dementia-free survival and lower dementia incidence rate”. [4]

Overall, the effects of vitamin D supplementation were found to be greater in women than in men, and greater in people with normal cognition than in those with mild cognitive impairment. The researchers found that the best time to start supplementation would be early on, before the start of cognitive decline. This study may have some limitations, but it is nevertheless an exciting discovery that proposes the use of vitamin D supplementation in people who are at a high risk of developing dementia.

Is Vitamin D Good for Memory?

Higher levels of the sunshine vitamin in the body mean healthy memory and healthy cognitive functions. Despite many milestone studies, it is still not completely clear how vitamin D may play a role in strengthening memory or maintaining healthy cognitive functions, but it is speculated vitamin D may play a role in pathways and mechanisms that are involved in neuro-degeneration.

Vitamin D protects brain health in a number of ways. It is involved in the production of neurotransmitters, reduces inflammation and fights free radicals that cause oxidative damage in the brain. In older individuals, poor levels of vitamin D may compromise their cognitive skills (memory and learning) in the future, and speed-up the progression of memory loss. [5] So it really is vital to catch and correct the deficiency early on to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in later years.

Vitamin D deficiency effects on brain                    

Low vitamin D levels are known to affect your mood, memory and learning skills. It can also increase the risk of depression and anxiety. If you are experiencing fatigue, joint pain and muscle aches that are accompanied with feelings of sadness, depression, brain fog and poor concentration, these could be signs of vitamin D deficiency. Other health conditions, such as thyroid disorder and anaemia, can also produce similar symptoms. So, it is always best to get your vitamin D levels tested to determine if a possible deficiency in the sunshine vitamin could be the reason behind mental symptoms.     

               

15 Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency

Chronic vitamin D deficiency can result in a number of symptoms such as poor energy levels, bone pain, muscle weakness and weak immunity with recurrent bouts of cold. It can also make your back pain worse. Most of us are aware of these common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.

If your body does not have ample vitamin D, you may also experience some sneaky signs such as excessive sweating on the neck and head, hair loss, and dry and itchy skin - low levels increase the risk of thyroid disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. The good news is that quality Vitamin D supplements help relieve symptoms associated with thyroid issues such as weight gain, brain fog, lethargy and poor mood. In a nutshell, very poor levels of vitamin D can trigger many physical, mental and psychological symptoms such as:

1. Low energy and fatigue
2. Widespread body pain
3. Muscle weakness
4. Weak and brittle bones, bone pain
5. Poor immunity, recurrent bouts of cold
6. Poor sleep
7. Poor gut health
8. Excessive sweating on the neck and head
9. Increased risk of thyroid problems
10. Poor wound healing
11. Skin problems
12. Worsening of psoriasis symptoms
13. Weight gain
14. Memory loss and cognitive decline
15. Confusion

Vitamin D deficiency in older adults

Sunlight is the main natural source of vitamin D, and older people may not get sufficient sun exposure due to mobility issues. In addition, their skin is less efficient at making vitamin D when exposed to the sunlight. Our kidneys are responsible for converting vitamin D into its active and usable form in the body, but may not be as efficient at this job in older adults. This puts older individuals at a very high risk of vitamin D deficiency and its adverse outcomes such as osteoporosis, weak muscles, mood changes, brain fog, cognitive decline, type 2 diabetes, and poor digestive health.

FAQs

Can vitamin D supplements prevent dementia?

Supplements may not prevent dementia altogether but nutritional deficiencies have a way of increasing the risk. Vitamin D supplementation may lower the risk of dementia and delay the progression of cognitive decline in older people – an age group who already are at a very high risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Can vitamin D deficiency affect brain health?

Severe and long-term vitamin D deficiency can affect mental health and trigger memory loss, brain fog, mood swings, symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment.

Vitamin D dosage for dementia

Low vitamin D levels increase the risk of dementia. Sunlight exposure and supplements can help boost vitamin D levels that may help reduce the risk. It is best to consult your healthcare practitioner to determine the correct dosage that can help.                                        

References:

1. Shea et al. Brain vitamin D forms, cognitive decline, and neuropathology in community-dwelling older adults. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. 2022
2. Chai et al. Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: an updated meta-analysis. BMC Neurology. 2019
3. Navale et al. Vitamin D and brain health: an observational and Mendelian randomization study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2022.
4. Ghahremani et al. Vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia: Effects of sex, APOE, and baseline cognitive status. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. 2023.
5. Miller et al. Vitamin D Status and Rates of Cognitive Decline in a Multiethnic Cohort of Older Adults. JAMA Neurol. 2015

Disclaimer

Information on our websites, in our blogs and our emails are provided for informational purposes only, and have not been evaluated by the EMA, EFSA or FDA. It is not meant to substitute medical advice provided by your healthcare professional and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Our products are intended for adults, 18 years of age and older. While the vitamins and supplements mentioned here have been shown to have various health benefits, it is important to remember that supplements and dietary changes should be considered as part of an overall health plan and not as a substitute for professional medical treatment. Only a qualified healthcare practitioner can provide personalized advice and treatment plans based on your individual health needs and medical history, and you should seek advice from your healthcare professional before taking product(s) if you are pregnant or nursing.