Health Effects of Vitamin D: The “D”-bate Goes On

Does vitamin D deficiency itself underlie the association with cognitive decline (and other conditions), or does it reflect an unhealthy lifestyle?

Several health effects have been attributed to vitamin D, including lower rates of fractures, reduced rates of certain types of cancer, and diminished risk for diabetes and heart disease. Investigators used data from the InCHIANTI database collected in Italy from 1998 to 2006 to examine a possible relation between vitamin D levels and decline in mental function among the elderly.

A total of 858 subjects aged 65 and older underwent cognitive testing at baseline and after a median follow-up period of 6 years. At baseline, cognitive performance scores were significantly lower in participants deficient in vitamin D than in those with sufficient levels. Participants with severe deficiency (<25 nmol/L serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D) were more likely th…

Reviewing Author

Craig A. Elmets, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Astellas Pharmaceuticals

EquityVaxin

Grant / Research support NIH; NIH/NCI; Veteran’s Administration; Ferndale Laboratories; Kyowa Hakko Kirin Pharma, Inc.

Editorial boards Cancer Prevention Research; Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine; UpToDate; eMedicine; Journal of Dermatological Sciences; JAMA Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Vice Chair, Committee on Science and Research); Photomedicine Society (Board of Directors)