Low vitamin D linked to Alzheimer's, Weight Gain

Yet another study has linked low vitamin D levels with significant health issues - in this case, poor cognition. According to researchers in the September issue of Neurology, people with Alzheimer's disease had lower concentrations of vitamin D than those without Alzheimer's disease, and better cognitive test results were linked to higher vitamin D concentrations.

Relationships between hypovitaminosis D and obesity, described by both BMI and waist circumference are suspected. Researchers in a September Nutrition Journal study investigated the effect of a 12-week vitamin D3 supplementation in healthy overweight and obese women. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, participants were randomly allocated into two groups: vitamin D (1000IU per day as cholecalciferol) and placebo (1000IU per day as lactose) for 12 weeks. 25(OH) D concentrations increased with vitamin D3 supplementation and led to measurable body fat mass reduction.