Skip This Vitamin—And Dementia Risk Jumps 50%
Did you know your odds of getting dementia DOUBLE every five years after 65?
The biggest risk factor is age, which you (unfortunately) can’t do anything about.
But scientists recently highlighted another one that raises your dementia risk by 50 percent.
However, this is one dementia risk factor you CAN do something about, and you’ll want to get it under control ASAP.
Researchers gathered data from 16 studies to determine the link between vitamin D deficiency and dementia.
They found that a deficiency in vitamin D was associated with a:
- 32 percent increased risk of dementia
- 34 percent increased risk of Alzheimer’s
Another study found that severe vitamin D deficiency was tied to a 51 percent increased risk of Alzheimer’s.
Fortunately, there’s a solution.
Just a few weeks ago, I told you about a study showing that people who took vitamin D supplements had a 40 percent lower risk of developing dementia—and a 15 percent higher 5-year survival rate—compared to those who didn’t take D.
And in women, those taking vitamin D had a 49 percent lower risk of dementia.
Clearly, when it comes to defending our brains against dementia, D is the key.
And the best way to get it is through sunlight.
But based on where you live, I know this can be difficult during winter. Take a vitamin D supplement if necessary until you can get out in the sun more often.
P.S. Three MORE reasons to love vitamin D.
View Sources
Chai, B., Gao, F., Wu, R. et al. Vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: an updated meta-analysis. BMC Neurol 19, 284 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-019-1500-6
