A study conducted by researchers at Emory University, recently published in Sleep Medicine, indicates that higher daily intake of vitamin D supplements may be associated with improved cognitive performance in adults at increased risk of developing dementia. The study involved 54 adults with sleep disturbances and mild cognitive impairments (MCI), conditions often linked to early stages of dementia. Participants who consumed at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily demonstrated more than a 13% improvement in scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) compared to those who did not take vitamin D supplements, even after adjusting for other variables.
The researchers emphasized the potential significance of the timing of such interventions, noting that MCI represents a critical window for supporting brain health as cognitive changes emerge. Victoria Pak, the senior author and associate professor at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, highlighted the importance of identifying accessible and modifiable factors, such as vitamin D intake, during the early stages of cognitive decline, especially given the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the study found no cognitive benefits from lower daily doses of vitamin D and observed no significant difference in cognitive performance between participants taking vitamin D2 (derived from plants or fungi) and those taking vitamin D3 (produced by the body after sun exposure or obtained from animal-based foods). Source