Vitamin D comes from the sun and from some foods such as beans, lentils and fish fat.
The researchers found that low levels of vitamin D may be linked to dementia and Alzheimer's disease, one of the most common forms of dementia. Alzheimer's can be very tiring for those who care for people with the disease and frightening those who are suffering.
"I've had a very bad thing when I want to get in the car, I not only forgot to go anywhere, but I also do not know where," said the dementia sufferer, Chris Roberts.
World Health Organization estimates that more than 47 million people suffer from dementia, and about 60 percent of whom come from the low and middle income countries, which are least able to cope with this disease.
US scientists studying the elderly and measure the level of vitamin D and their cognitive abilities: namely, the ability to remember and think.
"Some of the subjects suffered from severe dementia, some developed mild cognitive impairment and some have what we call a normal cognitive function," said Dr. Joshua Miller of Rutgers University.
The researchers found about 60 percent of the group's members are deficient in vitamin D.
"Those who suffer from dementia also have the status of vitamin D lower than those with mild cognitive impairment or those with normal cognitive function," said Miller.
Those who have low vitamin D levels showed more short-term memory loss, as well as the ability to organize their thoughts, prioritize tasks and make decisions.
"Their condition declined two and a half times faster than those who had enough vitamin D," says Miller.
Although this study suggests that vitamin D appears to play an important role in slowing the beginning of dementia, more research is needed to see whether vitamin D supplements can help slow this decline.
The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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