A groundbreaking genetic study from the University of South Australia has shown a direct link between dementia and a lack of vitamin D.

The genetic study analyzed data from 294,514 UK Biobank participants, examining the impact of low vitamin D levels (25 nmol/L) on the risk of dementia and stroke.

Investigating the relationship between vitamin D, neuroimaging characteristics, and the risk of dementia and stroke, the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, has shown that low levels of vitamin D are associated with higher volumes and lower brain tumors and a higher risk of dementia and stroke.

Genetic analyzes supported a causal effect of vitamin D deficiency and dementia; in some populations, up to 17% of dementia cases could be prevented by increasing vitamin D levels in all cases (50 nmol/L), according to the findings of the research.

Dementia is a chronic or progressive syndrome that leads to impaired cognitive function. Globally, more than 55 million people have dementia and 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year.