Sunshine vitamin and dementia

A study of nearly 400 elderly people in the North State concluded that Vitamin D deficiency is strongly tied to cognitive decline and impaired performance associated with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Researchers from UC Davis and Rutgers University found that people with low Vitamin D decline at a rate three times faster than those with sufficient levels, according to a UC Davis press release.

The authors said that black and Hispanic people, in particular, should consider low Vitamin D a greater risk factor for dementia, since sunshine is the most plentiful source of Vitamin D and dark-skinned individuals are less able to absorb the nutrient. Further, those minority groups are less likely than Caucasians to consume the recommended three daily servings of dairy—the main dietary source of Vitamin D.