Seniors With Low Levels Of Vitamin D May Lose Cognitive Abilities Faster

Reuters (9/15, Boggs) reports that seniors with low levels of vitamin D may lose their cognitive abilities faster than seniors whose vitamin D levels are normal, according to a study published online Sept. 14 in JAMA Neurology.

TIME (9/15, Park) reports that researchers studied “383 people enrolled in a long term Alzheimer’s study who participated in a series of cognitive studies and had their blood levels of a version of vitamin D measured yearly for five years.” At study start, “61% of the volunteers had vitamin D levels below recommended levels, and those with dementia showed lower levels of the vitamin.”

The NPR (9/15, Shute) “Shots” blog points out that the “study is notable because of the diversity of the participants: 62 percent were women, 30 percent were African American 25 percent Hispanic and 41 percent white.” The majority of prior “studies looking at cognitive decline and vitamin D were in white people.”

Related Links:

— “Low vitamin D levels linked to faster memory loss in older adults,” Will Boggs, MD, Reuters, September 14, 2015.

Posted in In The News.