The world’s first genetic research developed by a team of researchers from the University of South Australia has shown a direct link between dementia and vitamin D deficiency Investigating the association between vitamin D, neuroimaging features and the risk of dementia and stroke, the study found: low vitamin D levels were associated with lower brain volumes and an increased risk of dementia and stroke; genetic analyzes supported a causal effect of vitamin D deficiency and dementia; in some populations up to 17% of dementia cases could be prevented by bringing everyone to normal levels of vitamin D (50 nmol / L).
Dementia is a leading cause of disability and addiction among older people around the world, influencing thinking and behavior with age
It is a chronic or progressive syndrome that leads to the deterioration of cognitive function. Approximately 487,500 Australians are living with dementia and it is the second leading cause of death in the country. Globally, more than 55 million people suffer from dementia with 10 million new cases diagnosed each year.
The results of the study have been published in the scientific journal American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Vitamin D deficiency and dementia: this is what the research says
Researchers in the genetic study carefully studied data from 294,514 participants in the British biobank, examining the impact of a vitamin D deficiency (25 nmol / L) and the risk of developing dementia and stroke.. Nonlinear Mendelian Randomization (MR), a method of using measured variation in genes to examine the causal effect of modifiable exposure on disease, was used to test for underlying causality for neuroimaging, dementia, and stroke outcomes.
The teacher Elina Hyppönensenior researcher and director of‘UniSA Australian Center for Precision Health, says the findings are important for dementia prevention and appreciates the need to abolish vitamin D deficiency:“Vitamin D is a hormone precursor that is increasingly recognized for 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.”
“Our study is the first to examine the effect of very low vitamin D levels on dementia and stroke risks, using robust genetic analyzes on a large population. In some settings, where vitamin D deficiency is relatively common, our findings have important implications for dementia risks. In fact, in this UK population we observed that up to 17% of dementia cases could have been avoided by increasing vitamin D levels within a normal range.“, Hyppönen continued.
The results of this study regarding the effects of vitamin D deficiency are particularly significant: “Dementia is a progressive and debilitating disease that can devastate individuals and families alike “, says Professor Hyppönen. “If we can change this reality by making sure none of us are severely deficient in vitamin D, we would also have additional benefits and could change the health and well-being of thousands of people. Most of us are likely to be fine, but for anyone for whatever reason may not get enough vitamin D from the sun, diet changes may not be enough, and supplementation may be required“Concluded Professor Elina Hyppönen.
Vitamin D deficiency is common all over the world. Most commonly, it occurs when the skin is not exposed to enough sunlight. Natural (unfortified) foods alone rarely provide enough vitamin D to prevent deficiency. Foods fortified with vitamin D and vitamin D supplements can help prevent deficiency when exposure to sunlight is inadequate.
In the absence of vitamin D, the body absorbs less calcium and phosphate. Because not enough calcium and phosphate are available to keep bones healthy, vitamin D deficiency can cause a bone disorder called rickets in children or osteomalacia in adults. In osteomalacia, the body does not incorporate enough calcium and other minerals into the bones, resulting in brittle bones.
In a pregnant woman, vitamin D deficiency transmits the deficiency to the fetus and the newborn has a high risk of developing rickets. Occasionally, the deficiency is severe enough to cause osteomalacia in the woman. Vitamin D deficiency aggravates osteoporosis.
Vitamin D deficiency causes a low level of calcium in the blood. To try to raise the low calcium level, the body can make more parathyroid hormone. However, when the parathyroid hormone level becomes elevated (a condition called hyperparathyroidism), the hormone extracts calcium from the bones to increase the calcium level in the blood. Parathyroid hormone also causes the elimination of a greater amount of phosphate in the urine. Both calcium and phosphate are needed to keep bones healthy. As a result, the bones are weakened.
As already explained, vitamin D deficiency occurs mainly among people who don’t spend a lot of time outdoors: the elderly and people who live in an institution such as a nursing home. The deficiency can also occur in winter in northern and southern latitudes or in people who keep their bodies covered, such as Muslim women.
Because breast milk contains only small amounts of vitamin D, breastfed babies who are not exposed to enough sunlight are at risk for deficiency and rickets.
Some experts recommend exposing the arms and legs or face, arms and hands to direct sunlight for 5-15 minutes at least 3 times a week, but some people, such as those who have darker skin or are older , need more exposure to sunlight. However, many dermatologists do not recommend increased exposure to sunlight because the risk of skin cancer is increased.
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