VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY

Can Vitamin D deficiency lead to dementia and Alzheimer's?

Many are aware of the bone and muscle issues that come with Vitamin D deficiency. On top of that, there are also research studies that link the lack of Vitamin D to an increased chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common cause of dementia.^{1, 2}

What are Alzheimer's diseases and dementia?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder in the brain that kills brain cells, causing the brain to shrink.³ This causes a loss in memory and thinking skills, and it destroys a person’s cognitive ability to function independently. Alzheimer’s also changes the way a person regulates emotion and it is common to see drastic shifts in a person’s behaviour as well as mood.²

There are currently no cures for Alzheimer’s disease. Patients are usually given prescribed medication and are encouraged to take part in programmes to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s.³Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia.

Dementia is a general term to describe the deterioration of an individual’s ability to think, retain memories, and reason, to the point it hinders their daily lives. Dementia has affected 1 in 10 people above the age of 60 and is projected to affect 152,000 Singaporeans by 2030.⁴

How does a lack of Vitamin D lead to Alzheimer’s?

Although still largely unknown, many studies attribute the possibility of these diseases developing due to Vitamin D receptors found in the brain that are essential in creating memories. However, this does not dismiss the fact that across multiple studies, there is a high correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and neurological symptoms of dementia.⁵

How to get more Vitamin D?

Aside from brain health and function, Vitamin D also ensures strong bones and muscles. This increases Vitamin D’s importance in our daily lives. There are 3 ways to get more Vitamin D:

1) Supplements

Cholecalciferol is a common supplement for Vitamin D that is readily available for general consumption. However, it is ideal to seek professional consultation before consuming any supplements. There may be underlying issues with regard to your health, lifestyle, and existing medications which may affect your body’s required dosage of Vitamin D. Vitamin D tests may also be recommended by your doctors to determine the right amount of dosage your body needs.

2) Vitamin D foods

It is ideal to include these foods in your diet to ensure your body has enough Vitamin D. Some of these foods include:

Fatty fish like salmon & tuna
Eggs
Mushrooms
Beef liver
Cod liver oil
Vitamin D fortified milk, cereal, yoghurt, and orange juice⁶

3) Sunlight

Our bodies can create Vitamin D when we are exposed to the sun. The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays will kickstart a chemical process under our skin that creates Vitamin D for our bodies to use. The amount of UVB that our skin absorbs highly differs based on multiple factors like skin colour, time of day, and the amount of skin exposed to the sun.⁷

It is crucial to detect Vitamin D insufficiency before it reaches a deficiency. To do so, an individual should be aware of some of the common symptoms that stem from a lack of Vitamin D. These include exhaustion, depression, bone pain, and muscle aches.⁸ If you currently have 2 or more of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

At Sunshine Vitamin, we want to educate the general public on the importance of Vitamin D and provide trustworthy clinical-grade products to help individuals with Vitamin D deficiency. Our wide range of Cholecalciferol comes in different presentations including solutions and sprays. Our products can be consumed by both adults and children with the necessary dosage advised by our partner doctors.

For individuals looking for professional consultation and treatment on Vitamin D deficiency, do proceed to our partner clinics here or you can contact us directly.

References
1) American Academy of Neurology. “Study: Link Between Vitamin D and Dementia Risk Confirmed.” Available at:
https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1300. Accessed 24 August 2022.
2) Alzheimer’s Association. “What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Symptoms & Causes | alz.org.” Available at:
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers. Accessed 24 August 2022.
3) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). “Alzheimer’s disease – Symptoms and causes.” 19 February 2022, Available at:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447. Accessed 24 August 2022.
4) Ministry of Health Singapore. “Let’s talk about Vascular Dementia – Singapore.” Available at:
https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/160/AAP/dementia. Accessed 24 August 2022.
5) Amen Clinics. “How Does Vitamin D Deficiency Affect Your Memory and Mood?” 28 August 2019, Available at:
https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/how-does-vitamin-d-deficiency-affect-your-memory-and-mood/. Accessed 24 August 2022.
6) Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health. “Vitamin D | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.” Available at:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/. Accessed 24 August 2022.
7) Sampson, Stacy, and Annie Lennon. “How to get the most vitamin D from the sun: Tips and other sources.” Available at:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326167#vitamin-d-and-the-sun. Accessed 24 August 2022.
8) Cleveland Clinic. “Vitamin D Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” 2 August 2022, Available at:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency. Accessed 24 August 2022.