| Aging isn't something anyone can avoid, but there is | | | | this theory |
| an increasing body of research showing us that there | | | | Other evidence suggests that vitamin D may work |
| are things you can do, today, to help keep your mind | | | | to calm down an over active immune system or |
| sharp and your body healthy as you get older. But | | | | perhaps boost levels of antioxidants that work to |
| how to improve your brain? | | | | detoxify the brain. |
| The latest bit of evidence on vitamins, D in this case, | | | | So while experts can't explain precisely how vitamin |
| and health comes from a population based study of | | | | D works, they remain confident that it does indeed |
| over 3,100 European men (aged 40-79) that found | | | | have an impact on age related cognitive function. |
| the subjects with high vitamin D levels did better on | | | | As a fat-soluble nutrient, vitamin D is found naturally |
| both memory and information processing tests than | | | | in only a few foods such as oily fish (salmon, tuna |
| subjects with lower levels. | | | | and mackerel), beef liver, fish liver oils, cheese and |
| Whether this vital, though under appreciated nutrient | | | | eggs. Fortified foods are also available, foods like milk, |
| protects the brain cells themselves or key signaling | | | | ready to eat cereals, some brands of orange juice, |
| pathways within the brain isn't clear, but the effect is | | | | yogurt, margarine and fruit juices. |
| certainly measurable. | | | | Even so, eating a diet with enough of this nutrient |
| The study, a joint effort between University of | | | | isn't as easy as you might think, and is the reason |
| Manchester experts and colleagues from other | | | | supplements have become so popular. You'll want to |
| European centers, appears in the Journal of | | | | talk to your own doctor, to discuss your unique |
| Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. | | | | situation, before you start taking any supplement. |
| This latest work follows research that made news | | | | At present, the recommended intake of vitamin D is |
| this past January suggesting high levels of vitamin D | | | | 400-600 IU a day for those aged over 51, though at |
| can help prevent the mental decline of the aging | | | | least 1000 IU per day is considered by many to be a |
| brain. | | | | more appropriate level for older adults. |
| Dr. Iain Lang, a member of the UK and U.S. team | | | | In 2008 the American Academy of Pediatrics made |
| who carried out the earlier work, agrees that this | | | | vitamin D intake recommendations that were double |
| latest study adds to the evidence that vitamin D | | | | the previous dose, the ones most of us grew up on. |
| might be very good for the brain. | | | | And while sunlight is also a natural source of this |
| The study included men from 8 countries across | | | | important vitamin, as we age, our skin is less able to |
| Europe as part of the European Male Ageing Study | | | | absorb vitamin D from the sun, so older people |
| (EMAS), and involved assessing mental agility of the | | | | depend more on food sources (or supplements) for |
| subjects using three different standardized tests of | | | | this key nutrient. What's more, sunscreens of SPF 15 |
| cognition. | | | | or higher, popular in our fight against skin cancer, are |
| Samples of blood were taken to measure vitamin D | | | | known to block almost all vitamin D synthesis by the |
| levels. Assessments also involved how physically | | | | skin. Being obese or overweight also makes your |
| active the men were, how they functioned in daily | | | | body less able to make vitamin D while you're out in |
| life and reports on mood or depression. | | | | the sun. |
| In the end, the men with highest vitamin D levels did | | | | Estimates of vitamin D deficiency suggest that 50% |
| best on the tests and their cognitive performance | | | | of adults and children in the United States aren't |
| was consistently better than those with the lowest | | | | getting enough. |
| levels. | | | | And seeing that vitamin D is increasingly being linked |
| One surprise was that the difference appeared most | | | | to health benefits beyond the brain, things like |
| strikingly in subjects over 60 years old. | | | | reducing arthritis, osteoporotic fractures, not to |
| Why might this be? | | | | mention heart disease and even some cancers, |
| The researchers aren't sure, but suggest the vitamin | | | | there's never been a better time to make sure |
| might trigger an increase in protective hormones in | | | | you're getting enough. |
| the brain, though at present only animal studies back | | | | |