Common Daily Vitamin Linked to 13% Cognitive Boost in Early Dementia, Study Shows

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A new study published in Sleep Medicine suggests that vitamin D supplementation may offer cognitive benefits for individuals showing early signs of dementia. Researchers found that people taking daily vitamin D doses of 5,000 IU or higher performed approximately 13 percent better on cognitive assessments compared to those who did not take the supplement. This finding represents the first research examining the relationship between vitamin D intake and cognitive function specifically in patients with mild cognitive impairment and sleep disturbances.

The investigation involved 54 adults aged 50 and older, all experiencing or suspected mild cognitive impairment along with sleep disruption. Participants completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to measure cognitive function and took two separate tests to evaluate sleep quality. After accounting for factors such as age, sex, body mass index, and education level, researchers observed that higher vitamin D doses correlated with improved test scores. Lower doses showed nominal improvements but did not reach statistical significance.

While the results are encouraging, scientists emphasize that this remains a preliminary finding from a small observational study and does not establish causation. Researchers note that the 5,000 IU dosage exceeds the generally recognized safe upper limit of 4,000 IU daily. Despite these limitations, experts believe the findings warrant further investigation in larger studies, particularly given vitamin D’s accessibility and low cost. Early intervention during the initial stages of cognitive decline may prove crucial in addressing rising rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

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Originally reported by Sciencealert →