The Vitamin D deficiency is recognized as a public health issue and has been identified as one of the potentially modifiable risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI, Mild Cognitive Impairment).
Facing still inconclusive scientific evidence, a team of researchers in Bangkok examined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly population and the possible association between vitamin D status and cognitive function, adiposity, and insulin sensitivity.
Participants aged 55 to 80 years with normal cognitive function or with MCI were enrolled, and clinical data were used to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with cognitive function, adiposity, and insulin sensitivity.
It was observed that vitamin D status did not differ significantly between individuals with normal cognitive function and those with MCI. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) and vitamin D insufficiency (<30 ng/mL) was, in both groups, approximately 6.5% and 40%, respectively.
Serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were inversely associated with body mass index, fat mass, percent body fat, and the insulin-resistance assessment score. However, no association was found between vitamin D status and cognitive function.
«Our study – the authors concluded – highlights the high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among older adults and an inverse association between vitamin D status, adiposity, and insulin resistance. These findings underscore the importance of addressing vitamin D deficiency in the elderly to improve overall health outcomes. However, our data do not support a direct role for vitamin D status in cognitive decline in this population».
Roberto Torlaschi
Study conducted by researchers from Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand—Imerbsin N, Shantavasinkul PC, Witoonpanich P, et al. Vitamin D and Cognitive Impairment. Nutrients. 2025; 17(8):1301.
Abbonati a Karla Miller
