I recently came across an essay by a prominent neurologist admitting that it’s time to “consider” vitamin D for the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Gee, ya think?!
A wealth of studies published over the past decade has already found that vitamin D is protective not only against AD…but also against other neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Not to mention against just about every other chronic disease on the planet as well!
But despite the strong science, this neurologist seemed conflicted over his vitamin D recommendation—like he was going out onto a limb and making some kind of risky endorsement for experimental brain surgery!
Which makes me wonder…why does the mainstream still seem so squeamish about recommending this safe, effective, science-backed, natural tool for prevention of AD?
One step forward, two steps back
In his essay, the neurologist made sure to hedge his recommendation to “consider” vitamin D—essentially ensuring that no progress would be made against this insidious disease on his watch.
And he was ever so cautious about how far we should try to increase vitamin D blood levels in AD patients. In fact, he said doctors may want to “consider” helping AD patients with vitamin D blood levels of 20 or 25 nanomoles/Liter (nmol/L) get up to 30 nmol/L.
But then, he admitted that an “important” study published in Neurology (his specialty’s very own medical journal) found that achieving 50 nmol/L of vitamin D seems to produce better results. (In terms of prevention and reduction of symptoms.)
In addition, he was careful about how high of a dose we should recommend for vitamin D supplementation. For example, he cited one study where patients with early-stage dementia who took only 800 IU/day of vitamin D for 12 months showed improvements in cognitive function and AD biomarkers.
But imagine what kind of results they would have gotten if they had actually used an optimal dose!
(I do credit this mealy-mouthed neurologist for admitting that vitamin D is safe—especially compared to the other treatments offered by neurologists. He also pointed out that 800 IU of vitamin D isn’t a “super high” dose.)
Of course, if you’ve been a reader of mine for a while now, you know 800 IU/day is not a high dose at all.
It’s actually an almost laughable dose, especially considering all the other studies that safely show good results from taking a daily dose between 5,000 and 10,000 IU.
Then, at the very end of the editorial, the neurologist backtracked completely, stating, as usual, “more research is needed.” He also said they still need to figure out the “genetics” of AD.
When you think about it, mainstream researchers often doubt their own findings and conclusions. So, it’s always one step forward, but two steps back.
Meanwhile, AD patients continue to languish in long-term care, with no help from the mainstream…until more research is conducted.
So, what are they waiting for? Is the mainstream afraid of actually solving the AD crisis and putting themselves out of business?
Start supplementing now—BEFORE there’s a problem!
Well, I suppose we can’t count on mainstream neurologists to come out and recommend taking optimal amounts of vitamin D to prevent AD anytime soon.
But the research is here. And we’ve had it for years.
So, before I go, here are three simple tips to make sure you’re getting enough of this very protective vitamin:
- Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels twice a year—once toward the end of winter and again toward the end of summer. Just ask for a simple blood test called the 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D test. (Optimal blood levels range between 50 and 75 nmol/L.)
- Supplement daily year-round with 10,000 IU of vitamin D3. (You can even find this essential vitamin in liquid form together with the potent marine carotenoid astaxanthin. Simply use the top right search bar on my website to learn more.)
- Spend 15 minutes a day out in the sun, without sunscreen. At this time of year, in most parts of the U.S., the sun is now high enough to trigger your skin’s own natural production of vitamin D. So spend at least 15 minutes outside in Nature with your skin exposed to the sun…without toxic sunscreen!
Of course, there are many other safe and effective approaches to prevent and reverse AD and dementia in addition to taking vitamin D. And you can learn all about natural approaches in my comprehensive, online learning tool, my Complete Alzheimer’s Prevention and Repair Protocol. To learn more, or enroll today, simply click here.
P.S. This Sunday, April 26th at 3:00 PM (EST), I’ll be hosting a live Conquer Inflammation Summit. During this exclusive event, you’ll learn how when deadly inflammation is “turned off” inside the body, we may be able to power down disease…including AD and more! Space is limited, so reserve your free spot today. Click here now!
Sources:
“Consider Vitamin D in Alzheimer’s Prevention and Management.” Medscape, 11/18/19. (medscape.com/viewarticle/917452)
“Vitamin D and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer disease.”
Neurology 2014; 83(10):920-928. doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000000755