"Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Low Mood and Worse Cognitive Performance in Older Adults,"
Wilkins CH, Sheline YI, et al, Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2006; 14(12): 1032-1040. (Address: Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA)

Summary: In a cross-sectional study involving 40 older subjects with mild Alzheimer's disease and 40 nondemented older subjects, vitamin D deficiency was found to be associated with low mood and worse cognitive performance. 58% of the subjects had abnormally low vitamin D levels (less than 20 ng/mL). After adjusting for age, race, gender, and season, vitamin D deficiency was associated with the presence of active mood disorder. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency was associated with worse cognitive function (measured using the Short Blessed Test), and greater dementia severity (using the Clinical Dementia Rating). Thus, the authors of this study conclude, "In a cross-section of older adults, vitamin D deficiency was associated with low mood and with impairment on two of four measures of cognitive performance."

Lynn says:  Vitamin D is certainly in the news recently -cancer, bone loss, now Alzheimer's among other conditions it is related to.

I have written before about the reverence I have for the instinctive knowledge some women had about protecting their families' health before the dawning of the age of nutritional science, and the Grandmotherly spoonful of Cod Liver Oil ranks high on that list. 

Remember, though, all Vitamin D is not created equal!  Look for D from fish oil,  or for Vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol.

You can get the best Cod Liver Oil here

For the faint of heart - here are capsules of Cod Liver Oil

And here is Vitamin D3 in a 2000 i.u. formulation

Ah, to be lounging by the wine dark sea, eating olives and goat cheese, and drinking retsina.  I remember those days well - yes, I really do:  I spent many years living in that part of the world.

So perhaps it is not so strange I remember - this new study supports the theory that a Mediterranean diet protects against Alzheimer's disease. 

I can't think of a better way not to get it!

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet may lower risk for Alzheimer's disease

I juice apples daily as part of my anti-cancer regimen:  I admit my motivation is based somewhat upon the fact that they taste good, but also, apples are high in antioxidants and apple pips are a source of  B15.  I juice my apples pips and all. 

Now comes a study which shows apple juice is protective against memory loss. "We anticipate that the day may come when foods like apples, apple juice and other apple products are recommended along with the most popular Alzheimer's medications," says Thomas Shea, Ph.D., director of the UML Center for Cellular Neurobiology and Neurodegeneration Research.

Read the report here.

There doesn't appear to be any end to the gifts this marvelous spice offers!  I have written at length about the research being done to support its value in cancer, but now UCLA announces that it is also apparently helpful in preventing,m  and possibly treating, Alzheimer's disease.

They began their research for the best possible reason:  Alzheimer's disease is virtually unknown in countries where curry is a staple.

Here is a delicious way to add turmeric to your cooking.

Take 1 cup brown rice, and rinse it.  This is to remove some of the starch. Set it to drain.

Heat 1 tblsp ghee or coconut oil in the bottom of your rice saucepan.  Chop app. half a cup of onion.  If you have black mustard seeds, put 1 tsp in the hot oil until they begin to pop.  Add onion, and cook on medium heat until limp (the onion, that is!) . Add 1/2 tblsp turmeric.  Add rice, and stir until all is coated with oil and turmeric.

Add two cups of water, and cover.  Cook over low heat for 45 minutes, turn off heat and let sit for 10 minutes more without uncovering.

Here are The Vitamin Lady's Own Turmeric extract capsules.

Here is the UCLA report on Turmeric and Alzheimer's Disease.