Vitamin D is an important calcium regulating hormone with the diverse functions in numerous tissues, including the brain. Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining the cognitive function. The vitamin D deficiency may accelerate age-related cognitive decline.
A team of US researchers has completed the study examining levels of vitamin D in the brain tissue, specifically in the adults who suffered from varying rates of cognitive decline.
The researchers found that members of this group with higher levels of vitamin D in their brains had better cognitive function. They also found that vitamin D is present in brain tissue, and high vitamin D levels in all four regions of the brain correlate with better cognitive function. Two associates with changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease, one associates with forms of the dementia linked to blood flow, and one region without any known associations with the cognitive decline related to Alzheimer’s disease or vascular disease.
Vitamin D is very important for the body and it supports many functions in the body, including the immune responses and maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin D), is able to cross the blood–brain barrier and its receptors are widely distributed in the central nervous system. It has been shown that Vitamin D supplementation improves the cognitive performance, more significantly attention and the memory.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis in adults, rickets in the children and adverse outcomes in pregnant women. It may also be linked to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
The best sources of Vitamin D are the flesh of fatty fish and fish liver oils. Smaller amounts are found in egg yolks, cheese, and the beef liver. The body creates vitamin D from the direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.