Recent research indicates that individuals with high vitamin D levels in their late 30s experienced a notable decrease in a critical Alzheimer’s disease protein in their brains 16 years later, as highlighted in the study.
Results from this neurology open access survey suggest that continuing vitamin D supplementation during midlife may serve as an effective strategy to lower dementia risk.
This correlation is attributed to elevated blood levels of vitamin D being linked to reduced levels of tau protein in the brain, a recognized biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.
According to the first author, Dr. Martin Mulligan, professor at Galway University, “Previous studies indicate that vitamin D may help by reducing inflammation and enhancing antioxidant defenses and cell signaling, potentially preventing tau protein accumulation.” This insight was shared with BBC Science Focus.
Importantly, no association was observed with amyloid plaques, another hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers suggest that this may reflect the earlier accumulation of tau compared to amyloid, making it more detectable in younger individuals.
Vitamin D synthesis occurs in the body upon sun exposure and can also be sourced from foods like oily fish and eggs.
In the study, nearly 800 participants without dementia, averaging 39 years of age, had their vitamin D levels tested initially, followed by PET brain scans conducted an average of 16 years later.
The robust association between higher vitamin D levels and lower tau levels persisted after accounting for variables such as age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors, and depression.
Dr. Mulligan noted that approximately one-third of participants had low vitamin D levels, consistent with global trends.
This study is observational and does not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Vitamin D was measured only once within a predominantly white cohort, limiting the findings’ generalizability.
Dr. Mulligan emphasized the necessity for further validation in diverse cohorts before revising clinical guidelines.
“This hypothesis requires additional testing through clinical trials, and based on these results alone, we cannot formally recommend discontinuing supplements as a preventive measure for dementia,” he stated.
Read more:
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
