Getting Enough Vitamin D? Dementia Risk May Increase for Those with Vitamin D Deficiency

Most of us know the benefits of Vitamin D. Still, most don't know that having low levels of Vitamin D may increase the risk of developing dementia and stroke. A study published in April 2022 by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests vitamin D deficiency may raise the chance of dementia and stroke.

A newly released study analyzed more than 294,000 people (mostly women over 60) living in the United Kingdom. 

Following people over 11 years, low vitamin D levels were associated with a higher risk of both dementia and stroke. According to this observational study, dementia risk was 54% higher in those with low vitamin D levels than in those with normal levels. 

Be careful making conclusions; even if someone's blood level of vitamin D is low, researchers cautioned that these results do not imply that taking extra vitamin D can stop dementia or a stroke.

Previous Research Shows Link

This is not the first time a study has established a connection between dementia and vitamin D insufficiency. According to a study that was released in Neurology on August 6, 2014, adults 65 and older who had low blood levels of vitamin D had a 53% higher chance of dementia and a roughly 70% higher risk of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) than those who had normal levels.

The lead author of that research, David Llewellyn at the University of Exeter Medical School, said he expected a connection.

We expected to find an association between low vitamin D levels and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, but the results were surprising –- we actually found that the association was twice as strong as we anticipated.

Llewellyn noted that the study stops short of showing whether or not vitamin D deficiency causes dementia, only that it shows there is a link that deserves further research. The new research continues to show a connection.

Will Adding Vitamin D Help?

Dr. Scott McGinnis, a Harvard Medical School instructor and neurologist, is doubtful that adding vitamin D would help avoid dementia. 

I would be very surprised if vitamin D supplementation alone would offer protection against dementia. Alzheimer's Disease is a process 15 to 20-plus years in the making, and most if not all of the mechanisms are probably in place five or six years before a dementia diagnosis.

Still, Vitamin D is helpful for good health, including strong bones, immune function, and cell growth. As we get older, we need more vitamin D because our skin does not generate it as well as we did when we were younger. Plus, the older you get, the less time you spend outdoors getting vitamin D from the sun.

Even though the sun is one of the best sources of vitamin D, some doctors are concerned about the risk of skin cancer and advise acquiring vitamin D elsewhere. 

Some of the best ways to get vitamin D are:

• Beef liver
• Cod liver oil
• Milk (fortified with vitamin D)
• Orange juice (fortified with vitamin D)
• Salmon
• Sardines
• Swordfish
• Tuna
• Yogurt (fortified with vitamin D) 

Dementia is a Leading Cause of Long-Term Health Care

Alzheimer's and dementia are leading reasons people require long-term health care. There are over 9.9 million new cases of dementia each year, but many don't get reported - only one-in-four people with Alzheimer's Disease have been diagnosed. 

Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and one of the biggest reasons people need long-term health care. People with dementia need supervision and help with daily living activities. Many family members provide the care required because planning was not put in place beforehand. 

Health insurance, including Medicare and supplements, will only pay for a minimal amount of skilled long-term care services. Most dementia care is custodial - meaning help with everyday living activities and supervision, which is not covered at all. 

Medicaid will pay for dementia care and other related long-term care services, but only if the care recipient has little or no income and assets. Long-Term Care Insurance will pay for all these services, but you cannot purchase coverage when you already have dementia.

Can’t Get LTC Insurance When You Have Dementia

LTC Insurance is typically purchased when someone is in their 50s and in reasonably good health. Premiums are based on the person's age, health, family history, and other factors. LTC Insurance is affordable for most people, especially if purchased younger. Several top insurance companies offer these plans, but premiums and underwriting criteria can vary dramatically between insurance companies. A Long-Term Care Insurance specialist can assist in navigating the many options, getting accurate quotes, and finding affordable coverage. 

Pre-existing health problems can make obtaining Long-Term Care Insurance more difficult or, in some cases, impossible. The underwriting criteria differ with every insurance company. An LTC specialist will understand these differences and guide you to available options. Even a family history of dementia can be an underwriting issue for Long-Term Care Insurance with some insurance companies.

Research continues as scientists try to find effective treatments - or perhaps a cure - for the various forms of dementia. We can't prevent or treat any form of dementia now, and there are other reasons people need long-term health care. Planning is vital to prepare for declining health, mobility problems, dementia, and the frailty that comes with getting older.