Vitamin D or “the sunshine vitamin” has long been touted for strengthening our bones and aiding our immune system. Research has linked vitamin D deficiency with chronic health conditions and early death. A group of researchers from Tufts University found that the vitamin may also affect our brain’s cognitive function.
In a new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, researchers examined vitamin D in brain tissue. They found that higher levels of the vitamin were associated with better cognitive function—a stronger memory and a slower progression of cognitive decline. This study marked the first time vitamin D levels were studied in brain tissue according to the authors—a timely study as experts estimate those living with dementia will surmount 150 million globally by 2050.
