Lack of vitamin D may 'raise dementia risk' People lacking in vitamin D have a higher risk of developing dementia report several media outlets, including BBC News and The Independent.
A study found people severely lacking in the sunshine vitamin were twice as likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease compared with people with healthy levels (50nmol/l or more).
The findings are based on a study of more than 1,650 people aged 65 and above who were followed over a period of about six years to see if they developed dementia.
Researchers found the higher the vitamin D deficiency, the higher the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
They found severe vitamin D deficiency (less than 25nmol/l) is associated with approximately twice the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Moderately low levels of vitamin D (between 25nmol/l and 50nmol/l) are associated with a 50% increase in risk.
This study was able to show an association between low levels of vitamin D and the risk of developing dementia. But it does not prove that vitamin D deficiency causes the disease.
