Photo: Passion for the Planet
The D factor
Everyone knows that vitamin D is vital for healthy bones and a stronger immune system but could low levels be a major driver of Alzheimer's and age-related cognitive decline?
Research suggests that the levels of vitamin D commonly found in the UK are accelerating cognitive decline and increasing the risk of a dementia diagnosis and that supplementing with vitamin D, especially in the winter, can reduce future dementia risk.
Vitamin D deficiency is well known to increase future risk of Alzheimer's disease. A further large-scale study earlier this year involving over twelve thousand dementia-free 70+ year-olds shows that supplementing with vitamin D had a 40% lower incidence of dementia.
Professor Zahinoor Ismail, of the University of Calgary and the University of Exeter, who led the research, says: "We know that vitamin D has some effects in the brain that could have implications for reducing dementia. Overall, we found evidence to suggest that earlier supplementation might be particularly beneficial before the onset of cognitive decline."
All the evidence regarding cardiometabolic diseases, cancer, diabetes, infectious diseases and pregnancy outcomes shows that you need a blood level of vitamin D above 75 nmol/L to be healthy, and the same is proving true for the brain. This optimal level is impossible to achieve without supplementation in the winter.
Prof Ismail recommends every adult and teenager supplements themselves with at least 1000 to 3000iu per day from October to March in line with a recent review by 35 vitamin D researchers.
That's way above the UK government's recommendation of 400iu (10 mcg) a day. Supplementing 800iu (20 mcg) a day for 12 months has already been shown to improve cognitive function, but you need more than this to achieve anything close to an optimal level.
"If you're not supplementing with vitamin D in the winter then you may well be heading for cognitive decline," says Dr William Grant, advisor to the prevention charity foodforthebrain.org.
However, only 8% of UK adults take vitamin D in the winter, says the British Nutrition Foundation.
Astaxanthin research
Several studies have shown that astaxanthin has various biological effects on the brain.
Randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown that three months' supplementation of natural astaxanthin extract from Haematococcus pluvialis (12mg daily) improved mental quickness, multitasking, memory and faster learning in senior subjects complaining of age-related forgetfulness.
This research has been highlighted for us by AstaReal, manufacturers of GHN's product, AstaXanthin with DHA. The extract decreases oxidation of red blood cells, which is linked to the prevention of dementia, and enhances capillary blood flow and blood antioxidant quality.
It also modulates blood pressure, lowering stroke risk and improves vascular endothelial health.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21276280/
Brahmi to the rescue
Viridian's 'ingredient of the year' is bang on the money as we focus on cognitive health. The natural nootropic, Brahmi, has been chosen for 2024 for its tradition in improving concentration and memory, reducing anxiety and even for supporting those with ADHD.
Read more Insights here...