I have written before about the dosage of vitamin D that I should be taking, and the toxicity of vitamin D, but here is a new study from the University of Kentucky that indicates that levels of vitamin D that are too low may be associated with brain damage.

The researchers studied animals, so it remains to be seen whether the same effects would be seen in humans. However, I do know that I feel better when I have been able to spend at least some time in the sunshine, so maybe there is a bit of truth here?

The report says that the authors recommend that people have their vitamin D levels measured, eat foods that contain vitamin D, take supplements, and or get between 10 and 15 minutes of sun exposure each day. Oh, and complete a True Health Assessment. The Vitamin D Council says that adults may need up to 5000 IU/day (look for a table with the title “Recommended daily intakes” on the linked page). It is going to be very hard to get that kind of level without vitamin D supplementation.

So what kind of brain damage are they reporting in the rat study? Well, there was a lot of oxidation (think free radicals) damage to the brain, and poor performance of some tests of learning and memory. How do you test if a rat is learning/remembering things? One way is to have them try and perform a task that rats normally do (look for food) in a maze. If they remember how to do it, they get their reward!

Let me know what you think in the comments section.

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Filed under: Health • Vitamins

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