A shortage of vitamin D can increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life. One 30-year study of 3,000 people revealed a three-fold higher risk of developing Parkinson’s in those with low blood levels of vitamin D.
While a separate investigation found that low vitamin D intake was associated with a 60 per cent greater chance of suffering seriously impaired mental faculties later in life.
For the Parkinson’s study, Finnish researchers recruited 3,173 men and women aged 50 to 79 who did not have the disease. Enrollment took place from 1978 to 1980. Over a 29-year follow-up period, 50 of the group developed Parkinson’s disease. Those who had the lowest amounts of vitamin D were three times more likely to develop Parkinson’s than those with the highest.
Vitamin D is mainly generated by the action of sunlight on the skin. However, as people age their skin becomes less able to produce it. Research suggests that as well as strengthening bones, the vitamin also protects against cancers, heart disease and diabetes.
The study was carried out in Finland, an area with restricted sunlight exposure. However despite the overall low vitamin D levels in the study population, a dose-response relationship was found.
Vitamin D is believed to protect the brain through antioxidant activity, regulating calcium levels, detoxification, and its effect on the immune system and nerves.
A second study, conducted by US, British and Italian scientists, assessed the mental performance of 850 people aged 65 or over living in Italy. Over a period of up to six years, participants who were severely deficient in vitamin D were 60 per cent more likely to suffer substantial mental decline than those with healthy levels.
Both studies add to growing evidence of the vitamin’s importance to health.
[Source]
Chapter: Parkinson's Disease :: 4 September 2010
