Three doses of vitamin D and cognitive outcomes in older women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Castle M, Fiedler N, Pop LC, Schneider SH, Schlussel Y, Sukumar D, Hao L, Shapses SA (2019) J Gerontol Series A, glz041 2019 Feb; doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glz041
Web URL: Read this and related articles via Pubmed here. Free full text of this article is available online
Abstract:
Vitamin D may affect cognitive performance, but previous studies are either short-term or observational.We conducted a randomized controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation on domain-specific cognitive measures in postmenopausal women. Overweight/obese women with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels <30ng/mL were recruited.
Vitamin D3supplementation (600, 2000 or 4000 IU/day) was randomly assigned in a double-blinded manner for one year. Serum 25OHD, osteocalcin (total and undercarboxylated), amyloid beta, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and estradiol were analyzed before and after supplementation. Cognitive tests were administered after treatment. The women (58±6 years; body mass index, BMI, 30.0±3.5 kg/m2) had a baseline serum 25OHD was 22.6±5.8 ng/mL that increased to 30.2±5.6, 36.0±4.9 and 40.8±7.0 ng/mL in the 600, 2000 and 4000 groups, respectively (p<0.001).
Subjects taking 2000 IU/day compared to other doses performed better in learning/memory tests (p<0.05), yet the 4000 group had a slower reaction time (RTI) compared to the 600 IU/d group. Multiple regression indicated that serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin predicted tasks associated with RTI and executive function, whereas BMI and PTH negatively predicted RTI and executive function (p≤0.01).
These data suggest that vitamin D has differential effects on domain-specific cognitive measures and that a higher dose may negatively impact reaction time.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
In addition to being a dose-ranging study, a major strength of this trial was that all participants were receiving a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement (as well as individualised dietary advice on healthy eating) - thus minimising the possibity that deficiencies in other nutrients might influence the effects of Vitamin D supplementation.While some benefits for cognitive function (in visual working memory and learning) were found from a daily dose of 2000iu Vitamin D vs the placebo at 600iu, these were attenuated at the higher dose of 4000iu/day (the Upper Safe Level for Vitamin D supplementation). Furthermore, higher doses were also associated with slower reaction times.
See the associated news article:
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2025 © All Rights Reserved.