A world-first genetic research study from the University of South Australia shows a direct link between dementia and a lack of vitamin D.

Investigating the association between vitamin D, neuroimaging features, and the risk of dementia and stroke, the study found:

• low levels of vitamin D were associated with lower brain volumes and an increased risk of dementia and stroke
• genetic analyses supported a causal effect of vitamin D deficiency and dementia.
• in some populations as much as 17 per cent of dementia cases might be prevented by increasing everyone to normal levels of vitamin D (50 nmol/L).

Professor Elina Hypponen, a senior investigator and director of UniSA’s Australian Center for Precision Health, told Liam Bartlett on Mornings the new research opened doors to stop the degenerative disease in its tracks.

Tap PLAY below to hear more on the groundbreaking findings on Breakfast