Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of dementia and stroke

Vitamin D is found in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel, liver, egg yolk, and cheese. Photos have nothing to do with the article. /Photo = Getty Images Bank

A study found that vitamin D deficiency was directly associated with dementia risk.

On the 15th, the Australian daily The Australian Internet edition published the genetic analysis data of 294,514 UK Biobanks by a research team led by Professor Elena Hipponen, director of the Center for Precision Health at the University of South Australia. As a result of the analysis, it was reported that this fact was revealed.

This study was conducted with Mendelian randomization, which is a research method to infer a causal relationship by analyzing the association between environmental risk factors of a specific disease and genetic mutations related to it.

People with vitamin D blood levels of 25 nmol/L had a 54% higher risk of dementia than those with 50 nmol/L.

The research team found that raising the vitamin D blood level from 25 nmol/L to 50 nmol/L might prevent 17% of dementia patients. is falling short of this,” he said.

It was analyzed that a genetic causal relationship was established between vitamin D deficiency and dementia.

People who were deficient in vitamin D had smaller brains and a higher risk of dementia and stroke, and it is biologically possible that vitamin D protects brain health, the researchers explain.

The research team said, “There is a vitamin D receptor in the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center. This may suggest that vitamin D promotes the growth and maturation of neurons through the function of a neurosteroid.” said.

In addition, “Vitamin D may be related to the reduction of blood clots and the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system. Vitamin D is excessively inflammatory neurovascularity due to the decline of cytokines and amyloid proteins, which are commonly observed in Alzheimer’s dementia. It is speculated to protect the brain by inhibiting damage,” he added.

Meanwhile, the results of this study were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Reporter Lee Bo-bae, Hankyung.com [email protected]

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