Getting Ample Vitamin D Reduces Your Dementia Risk By 32% — Yes, Really!

Researchers are working hard to figure out the best way to reduce these climbing numbers and have identified one promising—and shockingly simple—solution: increasing your vitamin D intake. 

So, why is VDD intrinsically linked to neurodegenerative diseases? Researchers hypothesize they're connected in the following ways.

Calcium is fundamental to memory formation, and calcium dysregulation has been tied to brain aging and dementia. Vitamin D is a known regulator of calcium homeostasis (hello, bone health benefits). As such, inefficient utilization of vitamin D in the brain and/or VDD may contribute to calcium homeostasis disruption2 and cause neurons to age, per a 2018 Hormones review.

Considering the growing global rate of dementia and the fact that 29% of U.S. adults3 are deficient in vitamin D, achieving vitamin D sufficiency should be top priority when developing a proactive care plan for maintaining healthy cognitive function with age. The problem? This can be easier said than done.

However, not all vitamin D supplements are created equal—leading health experts recommend 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day paired with healthy fat to achieve truly optimal vitamin D levels (i.e., 50 ng/ml or higher). If you're looking for a high-quality product that meets these standards, consider one of mindbodygreen's recommendations found in this comprehensive guide of top vitamin D supplements.

If you're concerned about your brain health and/or vitamin D levels, increase your vitamin D intake. Adding a high-quality vitamin D supplement to your daily routine can help you reach—and sustain—vitamin D sufficiency.