Research found that vitamin D levels in midlife were linked to the accumulation of tau protein in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Analysis of blood samples and brain scans from 793 adults found that the more vitamin D someone had in middle age, the fewer tau protein tangles they usually had years later. The blood tests were taken at age 39. The brain scans were taken 16 years later to look at protein buildups.
Vitamin D is usually associated with bone health and mood. But this study suggests it plays a role in brain health as well.
“These results suggests that higher vitamin D levels in midlife may offer protection against developing these tau deposits in the brain and that low vitamin D levels could potentially be a risk factor that could be modified and treated to reduce the risk of dementia,” said neuroscientist Martin David Mulligan, from the Univ. of Galway. “Of course, these results need to be further tested with additional studies.”
No one in the study had Alzheimer’s by the time of the brain imaging. But high levels of tau deposits can be a warning sign.
“To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous studies evaluating an association between serum vitamin D and neuroimaging markers of preclinical dementia,” the researchers wrote in their published paper. “Supplementation with higher doses of vitamin D, and/or over longer periods of time in younger, cognitively healthy individuals may be beneficial, as the window of opportunity for disease modification is greater. However, this will require formal testing in clinical trials.”
A simple blood test can check your vitamin D levels. If you are unsure if you are vitamin D deficient, it's easy to get checked out. You can supplement with foods like fatty fish and fortified milk. Of course, normal supplements are also available. And being exposed to sunlight for 15 to 20 minutes a day on your arms, legs and face should give you plenty of vitamin D naturally. If Alzheimer’s runs in your family, you may want to talk to your doctor about your vitamin D levels and ask whether a supplement is right for you.
“These results are promising, as they suggest an association between higher Vitamin D levels in early middle-age and lower tau burden on average 16 years later,” said Prof. Mulligan. “Mid-life is a time where risk factor modification can have a greater impact.”
