Does Vitamin D Protect Against Neurodegenerative Diseases?

A recent review¹ on the protective benefits of vitamin D sheds light on some of the limitations of the sunshine vitamin.

Vitamin D deficiency is a big concern in New Jersey, due to the lack of sunlight. But will supplements give you all of the same benefits?

The researchers reviewed articles documenting the effects of vitamin D on neurodegenerative diseases along with sun exposure in disease cohorts.

The common assumption was that by being exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, you absorb vitamin D, which protects against neurodegenerative diseases. But according to the research. vitamin D may not be part of the equation.

“Sun exposure, independent of vitamin D production, may be protective against multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, write the researchers.”

And in regard to sun exposure, “further research is required to elucidate the beneficial mechanism of actions of UV exposure.” So, we’ll have to wait to find out more on that one.

So, does vitamin D Protect Against Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Maybe, but, apparently, there isn’t enough proof.

What’s your opinion on vitamin D?

Please share in the comments below.

Disclaimer

Elmwood Hills Healthcare Center does not take any responsibility this post’s content. So any action you take based on its information is strictly at your own risk. You should always speak to your doctor regarding medical information and your health.

¹ Iacopetta, Krystal, Lyndsey E. Collins-Praino, Femke TA Buisman-Pijlman, Jiajun Liu, Amanda D. Hutchinson, and Mark R. Hutchinson. “Are the protective benefits of vitamin D in neurodegenerative disease dependent on route of administration? A systematic review.” Nutritional neuroscience (2018): 1-30.