Vitamin D pills could stave off Alzheimer's disease, according to new research. Brains of older people with higher levels of the nutrient function better, say nutritionists.
The main natural source is sunlight but wrinkly skin is less efficient at converting it, meaning older individuals are more likely to be deficient. Corresponding author Dr Sarah Booth said: "This research reinforces the importance of studying how food and nutrients create resilience to protect the ageing brain against diseases such as Alzheimer's and other related dementias."
The number of cases worldwide will triple to more than 150 million by 2050. With no cure in sight there is an increasing focus on preventive measures such as lifestyle. Dr Booth and colleagues examined post mortem samples of brain tissue from 209 participants in the Rush Memory and Ageing Project that began in 1997.
