blog for retired teachers IRTA blog retired teachers blog Image

Help Ward Off Dementia with Vitamin D

August 25, 2022

Vitamin D has long been known as “The Sunshine Vitamin” because the skin makes it when exposed to light. It’s an important nutrient because Vitamin D supports your muscles, nerves, and immune system. You can also get it from eating eggs, fatty fish, and fortified foods like milk and cereal.

Additionally, a new study has determined that Vitamin D has another important benefit. Cases of dementia could drop by almost 20% of people who have vitamin D deficiency took supplements.

Vitamin D and Dementia

Researchers studied the impact of low levels of vitamin D and the risk of dementia and stroke. They found that low levels of vitamin D were associated with lower brain volumes and an increased risk of dementia and stroke.

Having insufficient vitamin D is unfortunately extremely common, with up to 40% of U.S. adults considered to have insufficient levels of the vitamin. Vitamin D deficiency symptoms can include fatigue, back pain, and symptoms of depression.

Though vitamin D deficiency has no single cause, some of the most common risk factors for vitamin D deficiency are age, obesity, and using certain medications that affect vitamin D metabolisms, such as statins and steroids.

These new findings have added important implications for the risks of dementia. Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide, affecting thinking and behaviors as people age. Every year, more than 10 million new cases of dementia are diagnosed. With no cure in sight, there is an increasing focus on preventative behavior.

Avoid The Risks

The study determined that one of the most effective preventive measures to avoid the risk of dementia is to boost vitamin D levels. Increase your health and wellbeing by getting enough time outdoors each day and by adding vitamin D rich foods into your diet. If those steps aren’t enough, consider adding a vitamin D supplement to your regimen.

Raising your vitamin D levels can reduce your risk of dementia and of having a stroke. But it’s still essential to protect your loved ones and your finances. Be prepared with a Heart/Stroke/Cancer policy from IRTA and AMBA. The policy could help cover specialized treatments not covered by Medicare. Learn more by calling 866-615-4063 or requesting a FREE Benefits Review at www.amba-review.com.

Source: https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ajcn/nqac107/6572356?login=false

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms#Video:-what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-vitamin-D-deficiency?

Share:
RECENT POSTS
Peace of Mind Doesn’t Need to Be a Headache: AMBA Makes Getting Life Insurance Easy
Peace of Mind Doesn’t Need to Be a Headache: AMBA Makes Getting Life Insurance Easy

AMBA understands the challenges you face when it comes to life insurance. AMBA knows that many people like you need help


Read More

AMBA brings smiles and joy to isolated and lonely older people.
AMBA brings smiles and joy to isolated and lonely older people.

AMBA Call Center team members recently gathered in a conference room for a unique get-together. Normally, AMBA Call Center


Read More

Why Emergency Medical Transportation Can Be So Expensive and How You Can Protect Yourself
Why Emergency Medical Transportation Can Be So Expensive and How You Can Protect Yourself

People who have needed an ambulance frequently ask the same question when they receive the bill: “How is the cost of the


Read More

The Negative Effects of Too Much Screen Time on Vision – and Overall – Health
The Negative Effects of Too Much Screen Time on Vision – and Overall – Health

How much time do you spend each day looking at a digital screen? You might be surprised by how much time is spent looking at a


Read More

©2020 Indiana Retired Teachers Association. All Right Reserved.