Scientists have suggested that a daily pill, costing as little as 1p, could help reduce your risk of dementia. A study found a link between vitamin D supplementation and a lower impact of this devastating condition.
Dementia is a syndrome characterized by a continuous decrease in brain function, most often affecting those over 65 years of age. It can lead to memory loss, behavioral changes and difficulties with speech and language.
Various factors can increase your probability of developing dementia, including genetics, the frequency of exercise, levels of social activity and diet. Many studies have shown that a balanced diet rich in healthy fats can help reduce the risk.
The researchers have now identified a specific vitamin which can have a similar effect. The study, published in Alzheimer’s and dementia: diagnosis, evaluation and illness, examined the impact of three types of supplements in vitamin D.
They analyzed the data of 12,388 individuals from the National Coordination Center of Alzheimer, who were all without dementia at the start of the study, with an average age of 71 years.
In the study, 37% of participants took at least one of the three vitamin D supplements: calcium-vitamin D, cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol. The research team has also taken into account the demographic, clinical and genetic variables, such as depression and APOE ε4 status – a variant of gene associated with a higher risk of dementia.
After five years, it was discovered that 83.6% of those who had taken vitamin D supplements remained alive and exempt from dementia, against 68.4% of those who had not done so. However, after a decade, dementia had developed in 22% of participants, 74.8% of them not having been exposed to vitamin D supplements.
On the other hand, only 14.6% of those who had taken vitamin D progressed towards dementia, against 26% of those who had not done so. After adjustment for factors such as cognitive diagnosis, depression and APOE ε4 status, researchers concluded that exposure to vitamin D was linked to an incidence of dementia at 40%.
Women seemed to benefit more from taking vitamin D supplements, those exposed to vitamin D being 49% less likely to develop dementia than those without exposure. For men, this figure was 26%.
The link between vitamin D and dementia is not a new revelation. A study published in Nutrition Journal in 2015 stressed that low levels of vitamin D could increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Currently, Holland & Barrett offers a pot of 240 vitamin D supplements for only £ 2.75, which is equivalent to less than one penny per pill. To reduce your risk of dementia, the NHS suggests maintaining a balanced diet, keeping a healthy weight, doing regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake, stopping smoking, managing blood pressure and to remain socially active.