How to Keep Your Mind Sharp

Vitamin D has received a great deal of attention lately. It's been demonstrated to aid in a number of conditions. Scientists have found that it may also help ward off dementia.

Researchers from multiple institutions have discovered that low levels of vitamin D are associated with "substantial" cognitive decline among the elderly, people aged 65 and older. These finding open important new doors for preventing and treating age-related dementia.

Take at least 400 IUs of vitamin D daily to keep your mind sharp.

The InCHIANTI study was conducted in Italy between 1998 and 2006 and involved 858 adults 65 years or older. Participants were interviewed and given various cognitive assessments along with medical examinations.

 Blood samples were taken to measure their levels of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D).

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Trail-Making Tests A and B were also used to determine and track changes in cognitive function.

Over the six-year study period, researchers discovered that people who had severely deficient levels of vitamin D (levels <25 nmol/L) had substantial cognitive decline compared to those with sufficient levels of the vitamin ((≥75 nmol/L).

This research was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.