Vitamin D Benefits: Clear Brain Plaques with This Nutrient

If your mother gave you vitamin D-rich cod liver oil when you were a child, she may have been way ahead of her time.

A new animal study from Japan suggests that vitamin D may help clear the brain of amyloid beta, a toxic protein-like compound that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

Human Research Support
This animal study validates the results of a previous study done in human Alzheimer's patients. In the human study, vitamin D together with curcumin -- a chemical found in turmeric spice -- appeared to stimulate the immune system in a way that helped clear the brain of toxic amyloid beta. But this new animal research suggests that vitamin D alone may be able to do that job nicely. Even more amazing, the lab animals that received vitamin D were able to remove a significant amount of amyloid beta buildup in their brains, literally overnight. It seems the vitamin may somehow regulate production of transporter proteins that ferry amyloid beta across the blood-brain barrier and out of the brain. Pretty exciting stuff. (Related: Here's another great health reason to get plenty of vitamin D.)

Many grown-ups lack vitamin D -- especially in the winter months. Are you ready to make sure you get your fill? Try these strategies for Alzheimer's prevention:

• Go fishing. Canned salmon supplies a whopping 530 international units (IU) of vitamin D for each 3-ounce serving. Or open the canned tuna for 360 IU of vitamin D from a 3-ounce serving and indulge in a little brain food at lunch or dinner. (Related: Vitamin D may also be good for your heart.)
  
  
• Seek fortification. Grab the orange juice that's been fortified with vitamin D and you'll add an additional 100 IU of the sunshine vitamin to your day with each cup you drink. (Related: Find out how OJ boosts your immunity.)
  
  
• Crack an egg. If you like scrambled eggs, you'll garner 20–26 IU of vitamin D per large egg. (Related: In addition to being brain food, eggs may also help you lose weight.)

Did you know? Vitamin D is vital for your frame, too. Find out whether you're at risk for weak bones.

1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhances cerebral clearance of human amyloid-β peptide(1-40) from mouse brain across the blood-brain barrier. Ito, S. et al., Fluids and Barriers of the CNS 2011 Jul 8;8:20.

1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 interacts with curcuminoids to stimulate amyloid-beta clearance by macrophages of Alzheimer's disease patients. Masoumi, A. et al., Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 2009;17(3):703-717.