A doctor has urged all adults to take vitamin D supplements daily as a new study found it can dramatically lower the risk of dementia.
The supplement is best known for being important to take during the autumn and winter months to help maintain healthy bones and muscles. Now, new evidence suggests further benefits.
Research conducted in France found individuals with vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L were nearly three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. More than 60 percent of the UK falls below these levels.
Another study published earlier this year, involving more than 12,000 participants aged 70 and above who were free from dementia, found supplements can be effective in reducing the risk of the condition.
More than a third (37 percent) of the participants were taking vitamin D supplements and showed a 40 percent decrease in the incidence of dementia.
Dr William Grant, who’s an advisor to charity foodforthebrain.org, claimed people still underestimate vitamin D’s benefits.
He told Gloucestershire Live: “All the evidence regarding cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases and pregnancy outcomes shows that you need a blood level of vitamin D above 75 nmol/L to be healthy, and the same is proving true for the brain.”
It’s recommended to speak to your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet.
From late March/early April to the end of September the majority of people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight on their skin.
But during autumn and winter health experts recommend taking a daily supplement.
The Department of Health and Social Care recommends that adults and children over four take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D throughout the year if they are not often outdoors, are in an institution like a care home, or usually wear clothes that cover up most of their skin when outdoors.
Supplementing with vitamin D is cheep, with Boots offering 180 tables for £4, working out as around 2p per pill.
Superdrug offers a 90-pack of high strength tablets for £4.99.