Vitamin D may slow cognitive decline

Researchers have found a new ally in the effort to maintain memories with advancing age: Two new studies find low levels of Vitamin D are linked with impaired mental function.

Oregon researchers tested 150 people, averaging 85 years old, living on their own. Participants were given a standard test for cognitive impairment. Those with the lowest Vitamin D levels scored the worst, and those with the highest scored the best.

French researchers looked at 752 women over 75 years old, and found those with the lowest Vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have cognitive impairment.

It’s not clear exactly how Vitamin D works to maintain brain power, but researchers think it’s related to the vitamin’s anti-inflammatory action. That means blood vessels in the brain are in better shape to deliver food and oxygen to power the brain. (Via WebMD.)