Plenty of sunshine and eating oily fish could help ward off Alzheimer’s and dementia as we get older. Both are rich sources of vitamin D, and new research suggests that low levels could increase the risk of all types of dementia.
It’s already known that low levels of the vitamin can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, depression, dental caries, osteoporosis and gum disease – and all of these are risk factors for dementia.
Researchers thought that tooth loss and gum disease were somehow connected to dementia – but they are more likely indicators of low vitamin D levels.
To make sure your vitamin D levels are kept high, make sure you get plenty of sunshine all year round, take between 1000 and 2000 IU of vitamin D3 every day, and eat oily fish, such as tuna, salmon and herring, at least once a week.
(Source: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2009; 17:1).