Low levels of Vitamin D doubles dementia, Alzheimer`s risk

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: A new study suggests that older adults with Vitamin D deficiency are twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

In addition to being essential for maintaining bone health, newer evidence shows that Vitamin D serves important roles in enhancing the immune system`s ability to clear the brain of amyloid plaques, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer`s disease.  

The study has found that adults who were moderately deficient in Vitamin D, had a 53 percent increased risk of developing dementia of any kind, and the risk increased to 125 per cent in those who were severely deficient.

The results recorded for Alzheimer's disease have shown that moderately deficient group 69 per cent more likely to develop this type of dementia, jumping to a 122 per cent increased risk for those severely deficient.

The study was published in the online issue of Neurology.

(With Agency inputs)