Health pioneers say new evidence that vitamin D deficiency could be a major cause of dementia should be the supplementation wake-up call Britain needs.

A five year study of 382 older people found brain function decline in people who are vitamin D deficient is three times faster than in those with adequate levels.

Scientists looked at the link between vitamin D levels and changes in cognitive function amongst the group of ethnically diverse adults with an average age of 75.

Research is still to determine whether vitamin D supplements slow cognitive decline, but based on this trial, researchers advise those over 60 to spend more time in the sun, alongside regular vitamin D supplementation.

This mirrors the UK Department of Health guidelines, which deem those over the age of 65 as an ‘at risk group’ for vitamin D deficiency, and recommends regular supplementation. 

Andrew Thomas, founder and managing director at BetterYou, said: “Unfortunately, dementia is a common condition, affecting more than 800,000 people in the UK. The risk of developing dementia increases as we get older, and the condition usually occurs in people over the age of 65.

“But dementia is not a natural part of ageing. It is an umbrella term that describes a group of symptoms that are caused by many diseases that affect the brain for example, Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia includes problems with memory, thinking speed, mental agility, language, understanding and judgement. 

“This research is very compelling, finding that people who are deficient experience a rate of cognitive decline that is three times faster than someone with adequate levels of the vitamin. 

“A worrying outcome, given that an estimated 10 million people in England alone could be vitamin D deficient. We encourage all those over the age of 65 to use vitamin D supplements. The Department of Health recommends it now – it’s so important.”

BetterYou recommends 1000IU (International Units) of vitamin D is supplemented per 25kg of body weight. This usually averages out at 3000IU per day for an adult. 

Scientific research has found that intraoral vitamin sprays are much better at boosting your vitamin D levels than their tablet equivalents.

Participants taking BetterYou DLux 1000 vitamin D oral spray for 30 days saw produced a 53% greater absorption than those taking a branded tablet vitamin D supplement of the same strength.

The study by scientists in Athens, also found that people with low levels of vitamin D before the study started saw much bigger increases in their levels than people who already had high vitamin D levels.

DLux3000 is priced at £7.95, available from Holland and Barrett, independent retailers across the UK, pharmacies and www.betteryou.com