Vitamin D deficiency may cause damage to brain and other organs researchers say:
A study published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine shows that rats who were fed on a diet low in vitamin D developed free radicals that can cause damage to the brain. According to researchers at the University of Kentucky, vitamin D deficiency could affect more than just the bones and could result in damage to brain and other organs.
The researchers suggest that vitamin D deficiency is on a rise in US and its effects on brain should not be underestimated. According to the leading author of the study, Prof. Allan Butterfield "given that vitamin D deficiency is especially widespread among the elderly, we investigated how, during aging from middle-age to old-age, low vitamin D affected the oxidative status of the brain. Adequate vitamin D serum levels are necessary to prevent free radical damage in brain and subsequent deleterious consequences."
Researchers believe that many individuals might not receive adequate amount of vitamin D in their diet, and additional supplements might be required to combat nutritional deficiencies.
Vitamin D deficiencies are pretty popular, especially among elderly and people who live in places that there isn’t enough sunshine throughout the year. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to a wide range of diseases including heart disease, Alzheimer's and certain cancers.
Although too much exposure to sunshine can be harmful, 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine exposure a day can provide efficient levels of vitamin D researchers say:
The leading author of the study Prof. Butterfield suggests that 10 to 15 minutes exposure to sunshine can help to keep the vitamin D levels adequate. He also suggests that people should have their levels tested by their physicians and if they are low in vitamin D, they should take vitamin D supplements or add foods like organic kale or wild salmon (that are high on vitamin D) to their regular diet.
Resources:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269646.php
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1789253