Vitamin D - Anti-Aging Therapy For the Brain?

Vitamin D may be among the most importantThe study concluded that in light of the findings and
anti-aging therapies for the brain, according to athe fact that vitamin D deficiency is common among
major new European study.older adults, more research is warranted to
The European Male Aging Study, which focused ondetermine whether supplementation could aid in
more than 3300 men between 40 and 80 years old,minimizing age-related cognitive decline.
showed that low levels of the vitamin are definitelyThe European study is the latest of many research
associated with slower mental processing, reducedprojects to investigate the association between
cognitive function, and concentration problems.levels of D vitamin - often referred to as the
The study authors, reporting their results in thesunshine vitamin because sun exposure triggers its
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery &production in the body - and brain health.
Psychiatry, said that while high levels of the vitaminThe vitamin is known to play a significant role in brain
correlated with high scores on cognitive functionbiochemistry. Nuclear receptors for the vitamin exist
tests, more clinical tests are needed to fully interpretin the brain, and it is involved in the biosynthesis of
their findings.neurotrophins, protiens responsible for neuron growth
Though the study clearly demonstrated theand development. Because neurotrophins can also
correlation between D vitamin levels and cognitiverepair damaged neurons, some believe they have
function/processing speed, the findings stopped shortpotential for use in reversing age-related brain
of identifying the vitamin as a treatment for agingdisorders including Alzheimer's Disease.
brains. Instead, the researchers noted that theIn addition, recent studies have revealed that
association could be simply a "risk marker", indicatinginsufficient levels of the vitamin are strongly
a risk for cognitive decline.correlated with incidence of depression.