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In a new study, overweight and obese older women who took more than three times the recommended daily dose of vitamin D had an increase in memory and learning, but also had slower reaction times. These slower reaction times may partly explain why falls appear to be more common in older people taking higher doses of vitamin D.
The research team, led by Rutgers University, used computers to evaluate the impact of vitamin D on cognitive function in three groups of women aged 50 to 70 years.
One group took the recommended daily dose of 600 international units (IU), or 15 micrograms of vitamin D, daily for one year. Another group took 2,000 IU a day and the third 4,000. All women received lifestyle counseling and were encouraged to lose a modest amount of weight.
The results show that memory and learning improved in the group that took 2,000 IU per day, but not in the group that took the highest dosage. At the same time, women's reaction time has shown a tendency to be slower (2,000 IU per day) and significantly slower at the higher doses.
"The slower reaction time could have other negative consequences, such as the potential increase in the risk of falling and fracture," said Sue Shapses, lead author, Ph.D., Dt.P ., Professor, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Director of the New Jersey Obesity Group.
"This is possible because other researchers have discovered that vitamin D supplementation of about 2,000 IU per day or more increases the risk of falls, but they do not have one." understood the cause. The results of our team indicating a slower reaction time may be an answer. Many people think that it is better to take more vitamin D, but this study shows that this is not always the case. "
According to Shapses, 4,000 IU per day would not be a problem for the youngest, but for the elderly, it could compromise the safety of walking or balance to avoid a fall because their reaction time is slower. However, this remains a hypothesis until future research can cover vitamin D levels, cognition and falls, she added.
Future research should also focus on different doses of vitamin D, derived from supplements and dietary sources, among men and women of different ages and races over a longer period of time, Shapses said. More important studies are also needed.
Cognitive impairment and dementia are important public health issues, especially among the elderly. Evidence shows that vitamin D plays a role in cognition and the normal functioning of the central nervous system.
The results are published in the Gerontology Journals: Series A.
Source: Rutgers University
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