Researchers have for the first time identified a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cognitive impairment in a large-scale study of older people.
The study looked at almost 2,000 adults aged 65 and over. As levels of vitamin D went down, levels of cognitive impairment went up. Those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were more than twice as likely to be cognitively impaired.
One problem faced by older people is that the capacity of their skin to absorb vitamin D from sunlight decreases as they age.
Vitamin D Dose Recommendations |
Below 5 |
35 units per pound per day |
Age 5 - 10 |
2500 units |
Age 18 - 30 |
5000 units |
Pregnant Women |
5000 units |
WARNING:
There is no way to know if the above recommendations are correct. The ONLY way to know is to test your blood. You might need 4-5 times the amount recommended above. Ideally your blood level of 25 OH D should be 60ng/ml. |