(15-12-10) Vitamin D deficiency linked to cognitive decline, increased risk of Alzheimer`s disease

by John Phillip, citizen journalist


(NaturalNews) Health conscious individuals understand the importance of
maintaining proper vitamin D blood levels to dramatically lower the risk of
developing heart disease, stroke, cancer and many autoimmune conditions.
Researchers have now made an important connection between vitamin D status and
advancing degrees of cognitive impairment. Proper levels of the sunshine
vitamin are critical to maintain optimal brain health, and the risk of
cognitive decline is doubled in aging adults with the lowest circulating blood
readings of vitamin D. Many people have difficulty obtaining sufficient vitamin
D from diet or sun exposure and must supplement to lower the risk of cognitive
decline and Alzheimer`s disease.

Study Shows That Vitamin D is Critical to Brain Health
It is a common misconception that loss of cognitive abilities is a normal part
of the aging process. Fortunately a steady decline in one`s ability to learn,
comprehend and develop and retain new memories is not inevitable and is well
within our control. The results of a study published in the journal Neurology
show that vitamin D intake is associated with a decreased incidence of
cognitive impairment.

Vitamin D is shown to bond with neuronal receptors in the brain and prevents
neurodegeneration. The vitamin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
that protects cellular damage that leads to brain cell death and loss of vital
cognitive abilities. The study authors concluded: "our findings showed an
association between vitamin D deficiency and global cognitive impairment. These
results are congruent with fundamental research and add to the growing body of
evidence in favor of the neurological action of vitamin D".

Ensure Proper Vitamin D Levels Through Supplementation
Researchers conducting this study found that the degree of cognitive
impairment increased dramatically in those subjects consuming less than 35
micrograms of vitamin D daily from diet. This minimal level is equivalent to
1,400 IU of the vitamin, a level that is very difficult to obtain through diet
alone. Vitamin D blood levels typically decrease with age and many aging adults
have been shown to be severely deficient; this deficiency leads to increased
oxidative stress in the brain and is implicated in cognitive decline and
dementia.

To achieve optimal protection, the vast majority of people will need to
supplement with vitamin D. As we age our ability to produce vitamin D from sun
exposure becomes limited and is an unreliable source. It is also very difficult
to consume enough of the vitamin from food, despite our best dietary efforts.
The best way to ensure you receive enough vitamin D is to supplement with an
oil-based form of the vitamin to attain a blood level between 50 and 70 ng/ml.

Grape Seed Extract Works in Harmony with Vitamin D
Vitamin D has been shown to be essential to human health and provides a
protective shield against cognitive decline. Research published in the Journal
of Neuroscience demonstrates that nutrients such as grape seed extract may work
in synergy with vitamin D to prevent neuronal damage and lower risk of
Alzheimer`s disease. Grape seed extract blocks beta amyloid accumulation and
the formation of damaging protein plaques and tangles. You can benefit from the
combination of vitamin D and grape seed extract to provide multi-modal
protection against cognitive decline and dementia.

Article References:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle...
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Res...
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/conten...

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