You know the healthy habits you need to adopt to protect your heart, but did you know that certain lifestyle changes can keep your brain healthy, reducing your risk of age-related disorders like dementia? They include diet, exercise and, according to a new study, making sure you get enough of these vitamin daily. Read on to learn more, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss out on these Sure signs you’ve already had COVID.
according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutritionlow vitamin D is associated with smaller brain volume and increased risk of dementia and stroke, and nearly 20 percent of dementia cases could be prevented by keeping vitamin D in a healthy range.
Researchers at the University of Australia analyzed health data from more than 290,000 people in the UK Biobank and compared vitamin D levels with brain scans that measured the size of gray matter, white matter and the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for executive functions. like memory
The scientists found that participants who had a genetically higher level of vitamin D had a lower risk of dementia, and the odds of dementia decreased with higher concentrations of the vitamin, up to 50 nmol/L, after which the benefits were less marked.
Scientists have long known the importance of vitamin D for overall health, including the immune system and bones. But less research has been done on the vitamin’s effect on the brain.
“Vitamin D is a hormone precursor that is increasingly recognized for its widespread effects, including on brain health, but until now it has been very difficult to examine what would happen if we could prevent vitamin D deficiency,” said Elina Hyppönen, director of the study. primary author. “Our study is the first to examine the effect of very low levels of vitamin D on the risks of dementia and stroke, using robust genetic analyzes in a large population.”
He added: “In some settings, where vitamin D deficiency is relatively common, our findings have important implications for dementia risks. Indeed, in this UK population, we found that up to 17% of dementia cases could prevented by increasing vitamin D levels are within a normal range.
Both low vitamin D levels and dementia are not uncommon in the US It is estimated that 40% of Americans have insufficient levels of the vitamin. And about 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related conditions, a number that is expected to rise as the population ages.
“Dementia is a progressive and debilitating disease that can devastate both individuals and families,” said Hyppönen. “If we are able to change this reality by making sure that none of us have a severe vitamin D deficiency, it would also have more benefits and we could change the health and well-being of thousands.”
“Most of us are probably fine, but for anyone who, for whatever reason, doesn’t get enough vitamin D from the sun, dietary modifications may not be enough and supplementation may be needed.”
It’s a good idea to have your doctor check your vitamin D level yearly. If your levels are low, a supplement may be recommended. According to the National Institutes of Health, adults are recommended to consume at least 600 IU of vitamin D per day, between foods and supplements (although that figure is somewhat controversial, and some doctors believe it should be higher). The NIH notes that the safe upper limit of vitamin D for adults is 4,000 IU per day.
And to protect your life and that of others, do not visit any of these 35 places where you are most likely to get COVID.
Miguel Martin
Michael Martin is a writer and editor based in New York City whose health and lifestyle content has also been published on Beachbody and Openfit. A contributing writer for Eat This, Not That!, he has also been published in New York, Architectural Digest, Interview and many others. read more
