3-D: IBD, dementia and vitamin D
Vitamin D is really a hormone. That's why it helps protect bone strength, increases the calories that go into muscles versus fat, and has an impact on immune, endocrine, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health. But that's not all. Vitamin D's do-good abilities just keep expanding.
A study in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that those who took vitamin D supplements were 40% less likely to develop dementia than those who didn't take any. (I recommend 1,000 IU a day of D3; more if a blood test reveals you need a boost). And that recent study builds on research from 2014 that found that people with low levels of vitamin D had a 53% increased risk of developing dementia and severe deficiency caused a 125% increased risk, compared to folks with normal D levels.
Another benefit: Healthy levels of vitamin D can help manage inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A study in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that taking vitamin D supplements reduced IBD-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and corticosteroid use.
So, ask your doctor to check your vitamin D blood level to see if you need to supplement. (Low levels of D are associated with an increased risk of colon and breast cancer, Type 2 diabetes and autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus). And boost your D levels with 10 minutes a day of sun exposure without sunscreen and by eating mushrooms grown with exposure to either sunlight or UV light and fatty fish such as salmon. Recipes are in the "What to Eat When Cookbook."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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