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Dementia

Vitamin D and Dementia: Is There A Link?

Kim Trevey on Aug 27, 2022
Vitamin D and Dementia - Barton House Memory Care - Sugar Land, TX

While studies on vitamin D deficiency and its possible link to dementia have been ongoing for several years, a new study is the first to find a direct link between dementia and a lack of vitamin D.

The study, which came from the University of South Australia and was published in The American Journal for Clinical Nutrition, analyzed data from 294,514 participants from the UK Biobank and researched the effect of low levels of vitamin D (levels that were 25 nmo/L and below) on dementia and stroke risk.

Their findings were significant:

  • low levels of vitamin D were associated with lower brain volumes and an increased risk of dementia and stroke
  • genetic analyses supported a causal effect of vitamin D deficiency and dementia
  • in some populations as much as 17% of dementia cases might be prevented by increasing people to normal levels of vitamin D (50 nmol/L)
  • there is a causal effect of vitamin D on dementia but not on stroke risk
  • a lower vitamin D level was associated with a lower brain volume detected using neuroimaging

Why is vitamin D good for the brain?

Vitamin D and Dementia - Barton House Memory Care - Sugar Land, TX

We often think of vitamin D as being good for bone health, but scientists have been studying the effects of vitamin D on the brain for some time. Their findings prove that, put simply, vitamin D is good for the brain.

Vitamin D has been proven to provide protection for neurons in the brain, helping clear amyloid plaques, which are the proteins that lead to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Therefore, low levels of vitamin D reduce that level of protection for neurons, making the brain more susceptible to dementia.

Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked to depression because vitamin D “reduces the increase in neuronal levels of calcium that are driving depression.”

The presence of vitamin D can also help promote the growth and maturation of neurons and has been associated with reduced thrombosis (or blood clotting) and helping regulate the renin-angiotensin system, which is the system that regulates our renal, vascular and cardiac physiology.

Using a research method called nonlinear Mandelian randomization, which measures variations in genes to determine why someone is predisposed to a certain disease, researchers were able to isolate low levels of vitamin D as having a causal effect on increasing someone’s risk of dementia.

Senior investigator and Director of the University of South Australia’s Australian Centre for Precision Health, Professor Elina Hyppönen emphasized how important these findings are: “If we’re able to change this reality through ensuring that none of us is severely vitamin D deficient, it would also have further benefits and we could change the health and wellbeing for thousands.”

How do I increase my levels of vitamin D?

Vitamin D and Dementia - Barton House Memory Care - Sugar Land, TX

Our primary source of vitamin D is sunlight, but you can also get vitamin D from certain foods or from supplements.

Foods that are rich in vitamin D include:

  • fatty fish like salmon, herring, and sardines
  • cod liver oil
  • canned tuna
  • egg yolks
  • mushrooms
  • Foods and beverages fortified with vitamin D such as cow’s milk, soy milk, orange juice, cereal and oatmeal

For vitamin D supplements, the current recommendation is 400-800 IU per day, though it’s safe for most people to consume 1,000-4,000 IU per day.

To find out if you are vitamin D deficient, talk to your doctor. A blood test can determine your vitamin D levels and whether or not you would benefit from taking supplements or changing your diet.

Using a research method called nonlinear Mandelian randomization, which measures variations in genes to determine why someone is predisposed to a certain disease, researchers were able to isolate low levels of vitamin D as having a causal effect on increasing someone’s risk of dementia.

Senior investigator and Director of the University of South Australia’s Australian Centre for Precision Health, Professor Elina Hyppönen emphasized how important these findings are: “If we’re able to change this reality through ensuring that none of us is severely vitamin D deficient, it would also have further benefits and we could change the health and wellbeing for thousands.”

Looking forward

While this study from the University of South Australia is significant, it’s important to note its limitations. Most of the study participants were white, had British ancestry, had intermediate to higher education and had a normal to overweight body mass index (BMI). Because of this, the study’s findings can’t be assumed to apply to the general population.

The study does, however, corroborate previous evidence that vitamin D is crucial to brain health and a lack of it could make someone more susceptible to dementia. It could encourage physicians to make sure they test their patients, especially their older adult patients, for their vitamin D levels and recommend supplements or dietary or lifestyle changes when needed.

Globally, 55 million people are living with dementia, and that number is expected to grow to 78 million by 2030. Studies like this give us hope that we could help prevent hundreds of thousands if not more people from suffering from this disease in the future.

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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Barton House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

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