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Can vitamin D and Sunlight make you
smarter?
The preponderance of evidence suggests
that higher blood levels of vitamin D correlate to better
cognitive ability (ability to think), so if you want a
higher IQ, it behooves you to keep your vitamin D levels
high.
In the winter in the Northern US, Northern Europe, Canada
and other high-latitude countries, this may mean
supplementing with 3,000-5,000 IU daily for most people and
up to 6,400 IU daily for nursing mothers.[1]
Another alternative is to use a tanning bed two or three
times weekly or take frequent tropical vacations (unless you
have type-one skin that does not tan—never burn).
The latest scientific paper on cognitive
abilities as compared to vitamin D levels shows that persons
who have the lowest levels are more than twice as likely to
be cognitively impaired as those with the highest levels.[2]
I was not surprised at the results of this study; in my
book, I had documented other research indicating that in
elderly people with the highest levels of vitamin D scored
3-5 times higher on two cognitive tests than those with the
lowest levels.[3]
Those with the lowest levels were also 12 times as likely to
be depressed.
When we consider that vitamin D is
absolutely essential to proper nerve function and
development,[4] [5] and that there are vitamin D receptors
throughout the central nervous system,[6] it stands to
reason that mental abilities would be compromised by poor
vitamin D status.
It also follows that depression would be higher in those
whose levels are low.
Therefore, it follows that sunlight and vitamin D may make
you both smarter and happier.
[1] Wagner C. et al. High-dose vitamin D3
supplementation in a cohort of breastfeeding mothers and
their infants: a 6-month follow-up pilot study. Breastfeed
Med 2006;1:59-70.
[2] Llewellyn, D. et al. Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D
Concentration and Cognitive Impairment. J Geriatr Psychiatry
Neurol Online. December 10, 2008.
[3] Wilkins C. et al. Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated
With Low Mood and Worse Cognitive Performance in Older
Adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry;2006;14:1032–1040).
[4] McCann J. et al. Is there convincing biological or
behavioral evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to brain
dysfunction? FASEB J. 2008;22:982-1001.
[5] Carlson, A. et al. Is vitamin D deficiency associated
with peripheral neuropathy? The Endocrinologist
2007;17:319-25.
[6] McCann J. et al. Is there convincing biological or
behavioral evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to brain
dysfunction? FASEB J. 2008;22:982-1001.
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