Vitamin D reduced dementia by 40%

Vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia: Effects of sex, APOE, and baseline cognitive status

Alberta, Canada

Known association, vitamin D deficiency, incident dementia

Role of supplementation is unclear.

Prospectively study

Associations, vitamin D supplementation and incident dementia

N = 12,388 dementia-free people

(from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center)

Methods

Baseline exposure to vitamin D was considered D+

No exposure prior to dementia onset was considered D−

MCI and depression were both more frequent in the D− group, compared to D+

People taking vitamin D had less MCI and less depression

Adjusted for age, sex, education, race, cognitive diagnosis, depression, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4.

Potential interactions between exposure and model covariates were explored.

Results

Across all formulations,

vitamin D exposure was associated with significantly longer dementia-free survival,

and lower dementia incidence rate than no exposure

Hazard ratio = 0.60

(95% confidence interval:
0.55–0.65)

Vitamin D exposure was associated with 40% lower dementia incidence versus no exposure.

Over 10 year follow up of

12,388

2,696 participants progressed to dementia

Among them the 2,696

2,017 (74.8%) had no exposure to vitamin D

679 (25.2%) had baseline exposure

Exposure to vitamin D was associated with significantly higher dementia-free survival

5-year survival for D− was 68.4%

5-year survival for D+ was 83.6%

The effect of vitamin D on incidence rate differed significantly,

Vitamin D effects were significantly greater in females versus males

Vitamin D effects were significantly greater in normal cognition versus mild cognitive impairment.

Vitamin D effects were significantly greater in apolipoprotein E ε4 non-carriers versus carriers.

Vitamin D effects were less significantly apolipoprotein E ε4 carriers. (25% one copy, 3% two copies)

Vitamin D has potential for dementia prevention, especially in the high-risk strata.

Vitamin D deficiency, worldwide prevalence of up to 1 billion.

Mechanism of action

Vitamin D is known to participate in the clearance of amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregates,

one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD),

and may provide neuroprotection against Aβ-induced tau hyperphosphorylation

(neurofibrillary tangles)

Cholecalciferol may be more effective than ergocalciferol

[wyattsgrammy]

You can't know how much this video has meant to me. My mother and her sister both died with Alzheimer's. As did their material aunts. Their mother died of uterine cancer before she was old enough to develope it. I have stage 3 kidney disease and was placed on D3 eight years ago because of that. I am 71 and have worried for a long time that I would definitely develope Alzheimer's. You have given me hope. Thank you for all you do.

[craigcrawford]

My mother died from Alzheimer's, she never ever ever went outside to get sun nor took sups. By comparison, her brother is still running the family farm at almost 90 years old. Healthy, tanned, and strong

[karmakat]

I find this so depressing I worked as a mental health nurse in Dementia care for over 20 years, latterly I used to bang on about Vitamin D supplementation to our Consultant Psychiatrist for all our elderly care home patients, they never saw the light of day ! The psychiatrist thought I was quite 'out there' I became totally disillusioned with the lack of interest in this area of mental health, the overuse of sedatives and pointless medications. There was a small cohort of patients that got Melatonin and I still believe this is another hugely overlooked hormone that has multiple benefits. I retired early from nursing as I wasn't doing any, I was sat behind a desk typing pointless care plans and sitting on a phone trying to get emergency care packages that were never enough. The system is totally broken.

[kathyevans]

My husband started taking D3 daily last year. In Dec. '22, out of the blue, he started saying that he is thinking more clearly and his recall abilities have improved. (He's 62 and has had a horrible memory for years) He and I are RNs and had no idea that this was a "thing". Thank you for finding and reporting on this study.

[nota]

I can't think of a channel on YouTube that provides as much value to its viewers.Thanks Dr Campbell, you have impacted the lives of thousands of people in positive ways.

[gabriellewilliamson]

I am now recommending your podcasts to my medical colleagues friends all retired
Keep going with this good work

[thesonhaslife]

Thank you Dr. Campbell for all you do . I pray more people start critically thinking for themselves . 👍

[chrish]

Hi Dr. Campbell, nurse practitioner here. I have frequently educated many of my patients about the myriad of health benefits associated with maintaining optimal vitamin D levels, and this longitudinal study from Canada is quite eye-opening. Thank you for all the wonderful work you provide, and I pray for your continued health and willingness to advocate for interventions that truly benefit people worldwide 👏

[Elizabethsumpter]

I am a caregiver, I have a patient I have been taking care of for a year and a 1/2 with dementia. I have been giving this patient Hide doses of vitamin D for a year now, and have noticed vast improvements with their Speech and memory. They don't lose their train of thought nearly as often and don't seem to be "lost" as much

[joannadavis]

Thank you, Dr. Campbell, for talking about those of us who are elderly. I have been taking D3 and VitK2. I am 78, so included in this study. A former internist had me on D2 and my level of Vitamin D did not budge. Turned out I could not genetically convert D2 to D3. I believe that because I have celiac disease that contributed to the problem. Any way, changed doctors changed to D3 and now I am no longer Vitamin D deficient. Too bad, lost time with the former doctor. I get my level checked every three months. My current doctor is amenable to this.
Excellent levels now and my bone density is so much better.

[createwithbarbbl]

Thank you again Dr. Campbell for all you do for us. What a brilliant study that is taken over 10 years. Well done the Canadians.

[garysmith]

Great commentary. Thank you we are fighting dementia in my wife. Every little bit helps

[JudyHart]

Found an old lab result from 2016 the other day, my Vitamin D was 28, last result was 89, thank you Dr. John.

[shardlake]

Great study, such a cheap and simple option. Certainly been taking D3 and K2 ever since discovering your channel at the beginning of the pandemic. Although purely anecdotal, had fewer colds, and even after finally getting Covid in December 22, it was 3 days of aching joints and stuffy nose. I worry that our governments are really not concerned with keeping us healthy unless their is money involved, keeping us around for longer is not top of their list.

[Cyourself]

My father developed dementia at 85 after taking high dose prednisone for PMR. On his last visit with the rheumatologist I asked if taking vitamin D3 would help, the doct agreed it would be fine. I researched side effects of prednisone and it clearly depletes Vit D3. I brought my dad home with me to northern California, started him on D3 5000iu, Vit C 1000 mg, daily eggs cooked in butter and coconut oil (which he didn't know) to increase the much needed healthy fats in his diet. He improved immediately! Several months later he went into memory care and I asked the staff to take him outside on the patio in the sun at least 15 minutes late morning. I later found out most of the residents were also taking at least 5000 iu vitamin D. I'm convinced had he started taking it several years earlier he would have had better quality of life and later onset of dementia.

[Xxxxxx-pc]

I feel like you are the only doctor I can trust.

[CarolReidCA]

Thank you Dr. John! ❤
You are saving lives and educating people all over the world. You are a true hero!
Much love from Southern California.
I found you in January 2020 & have referred many people to you.
Have you ever thought of doing a nursing studies series from start to finish and/or a CERT class series? You could have people follow and study with your textbook.
Colleges are so expensive, and we desperately need more nurses here in the US. Even people who have read your textbook and nursing classes online on video would be a massive help, as they'd have the knowledge.
I hope you will consider doing this.
You have a very pleasant voice, you know your stuff in nursing care.
Thank you for everything you do for humanity. God bless you!❤

[RadicalResponsibility]

John, you continue to do your profession proud. I’ve been a huge believer in vitamin D since I found several studies demonstrating the connection between vitamin D deficiency and MS back in the early 2000’s. Like you, I have been recommending it to all my patients (not just those with MS) since the start of Covid-19, and, thank goodness, I have not had anyone die from it. Keep up the great work.

[jennidall]

In appreciation of Dr John's invaluable service throughout the past three years, I signed up to be a monthly donor to the health programs in Uganda that he sponsors. I get a warm inner glow every time I see the payment in my bank statement, not to mention seeing these mosquito nets!!
NGOs generally like regular/monthly donation commitments as it allows them to plan their activities better than one-offs. I decided that that was something useful I could do in the face of all the health mayhem. If you find yourself feeling frustrated and helpless, you might like to try it 😊 Even small amounts of Western country money go a long way in Uganda!

[hattiedraper]

It’s wonderful how you are funding these practical health care interventions in Uganda. As others have said before, you truly are a hero.