Vitamin D does NOT protect against dementia
Vitamin D does NOT protect against dementia: Scientists reveal they have ‘broken a commonly held belief’ that the nutrient is good for the brain
- Scientists claim there is ‘no convincing evidence’ it protects from memory loss
- Condition may be brought on by people lacking other benefits of UV exposure
- Vitamin D also does not protect against Huntington’s or Parkinson’s disease
- Research is required to determine how other aspects of UV may be beneficial
34
View
comments
Vitamin D does not protect against dementia, new research suggests.
Scientists claim there is ‘no convincing evidence’ so-called sunshine supplements protect people from memory loss, a study found.
Although dementia patients typically have low vitamin D levels, the researchers believe their condition may be brought on by them lacking benefits of UV exposure that have nothing to do with the vitamin.
Study author Professor Mark Hutchinson, from the University of Adelaide, said: ‘We’ve broken a commonly held belief that vitamin D resulting from sun exposure is good for your brain.
‘Vitamin D, although essential for healthy living, is not going to be the miracle “sunshine tablet” solution for brain-disorders that some were hoping for.’
Vitamin D does not protect against dementia, new research suggests (stock)
- A sight to behold: Three-year-old girl born without an eye… Victory for the Mail! Officials SUSPEND the use of… Patients could be put at risk by burnt out trainee doctors… Chatting to colleagues, neighbours and parents at the school…
DOES VITAMIN D REDUCE THE RISK OF AN EARLY MENOPAUSE?
Women can cut their risk of an early menopause by eating oily fish and eggs, research suggested in May 2017.
A high vitamin D intake via food and supplements lowers the risk by 17 percent, a study found.
Vitamin D is thought to slow the ageing of women’s ovaries.
Calcium-rich foods make women 13 percent less likely to suffer, the research adds.
Around one in 10 women go through the menopause before the age of 45, increasing their risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, and reducing their chances of conceiving.
The researchers analysed 116,430 female health workers over two decades.
Their diet was recorded in food questionnaires five times over that period, during which 2,041 women entered the menopause.
Lead author Alexandra Purdue-Smithe, from the University of Massachusetts, said: ‘Scientists are looking for anything that can reduce the risk of early menopause and things like diet, which can be easily altered, have wide-ranging implications for women.’
The main natural source of vitamin D is sunlight, however, it also appears in oily fish, egg yolks and fortified cereals.
Dairy products are not fortified with the vitamin in the UK.
How the research was carried out
The researchers analysed 73 studies investigating the link between vitamin D and brain health.
These included the vitamin’s effect on disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and multiple sclerosis.
The findings were published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience.
UV may benefit the brain in a way that has ‘nothing to do with vitamin D’
Results further suggest vitamin D does not protect against any of the brain disorders analysed.
Lead author Dr Krystal Iacopetta said: ‘Our work counters an emerging belief held in some quarters suggesting that higher levels of vitamin D can impact positively on brain health.’
Professor Hutchinson added: ‘There are some early studies that suggest that UV exposure could have a positive impact on some neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
‘We have presented critical evidence that UV light may impact molecular processes in the brain in a manner that has absolutely nothing to do with vitamin D.’
The researchers add further studies are required to determine how sun exposure benefits the brain in other ways.
People who are ‘skinny fat’ may be at a higher risk of dementia
This comes after research released earlier this month suggested people who are ‘skinny fat’ may be at a higher risk of dementia.
Known as sarcopenic obesity, having a slender look but a high percentage body fat is associated with reduced memory, self control and orientation skills, a study by Florida Atlantic University found.
A high percentage body fat is thought to drive cognitive decline by causing inflammation and damage to the brain’s blood vessels.
Researchers warn high-fat levels and decreasing muscle mass in people who look healthy could become a serious public health concern.
Share or comment on this article:
-
Cross-dressing man is scolded, pushed and ordered to…
-
Mom claims Texas cop choked her 15-year-old son before he…
-
Chinese knife man is sentenced to death after stabbing a…
-
Fearless mother dives into a crocodile-infested river and…
-
St Bernard dog fighting terminal bone cancer is working…
-
That’s em-BEAR-rassing! Wild bear gets its head stuck in…
-
Mexico is planning its own border police force to stop…
-
Connecticut woman is cut by a RAZOR BLADE hidden in a…
-
Family of young cancer survivor bombarded with abuse by…
-
Terrifying moment mother bear charges hunter who is…
-
More women than men actually think catcalling is…
-
Georgia boy, four, ‘accidentally shoots and kills himself…
-
Cop slams a black 14-year-old boy to the ground while…
-
Startup known as the ‘Uber of electric scooters’ has been…
-
Russian firms are selling sick ‘Novichok’ products,…
-
Drunk driver, 62, kills a baby boy and leaves a…
-
Ten-foot tiger shark hunts down and eats a TURTLE in…
-
Bookstore owner who called 911 to defend Steve Bannon…
Comments 34
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline?
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.