Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Dementia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin D has been investigated for its potential role in supporting or treating dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline. The rationale stems from observational studies linking low serum vitamin D levels with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Vitamin D receptors are present in brain tissue, and vitamin D is thought to be involved in neuroprotection, regulation of neurotrophic factors, and modulation of inflammation—all processes relevant to dementia pathogenesis.

However, while these associations are biologically plausible, the evidence for vitamin D supplementation as an effective intervention for preventing or treating dementia is limited and mixed. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not consistently demonstrated significant cognitive benefits from vitamin D supplementation in older adults, either in normal cognition or in those with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Some studies suggest a possible benefit in individuals with profound deficiency, but the overall quality of evidence is low due to methodological limitations, small sample sizes, and short intervention durations.

Current clinical guidelines do not recommend vitamin D supplementation specifically for dementia prevention or treatment, except in cases of deficiency for general health. In summary, while there is scientific interest and some preliminary evidence, robust clinical validation for vitamin D as a treatment for dementia is lacking, and more high-quality research is needed.

More about vitamin D
More about Dementia

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis