Neuroprotective benefits of vitamin D called into question by new Australian review
The findings reported that researchers had failed to find solid clinical evidence for vitamin D as a protective neurological agent.
"Our work counters an emerging belief held in some quarters suggesting that higher levels of vitamin D can impact positively on brain health," saod lead author Krystal Iacopetta, PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide.
Based on a systematic review of over 70 pre-clinical and clinical studies, Iacopetta investigated the role of vitamin D across a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases.
"Past studies had found that patients with a neurodegenerative disease tended to have lower levels of vitamin D compared to healthy members of the population," she said.
"The results of our in-depth review and an analysis of all the scientific literature however, indicates that this is not the case and that there is no convincing evidence supporting vitamin D as a protective agent for the brain."
She believes that the idea of vitamin D as a neuro-related protector has gained traction based on observational studies as opposed to evaluation of all available clinical evidence.
"Our analysis of methodologies, sample sizes, and effects on treatment and control groups shows that the link between vitamin D and brain disorders is likely to be associative, as opposed to a directly causal relationship," she explained.
"We could not establish a clear role for a neuroprotective benefit from vitamin D for any of the diseases we investigated."
The paper noted: "From a total of 231 screened articles, we identified 73 appropriate for review based on inclusion criteria: original studies that investigated vitamin D levels or levels of vitamin D supplementation in neurodegenerative diseases, or investigated past / present sun exposure in disease cohorts.
"Results indicate there is insufficient evidence to comprehensively reflect on a potential neuroprotective role for vitamin D, and if this was dependent on route of administration."
Independent action
Mark Hutchinson, director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics (CNBP) and professor at the University of Adelaide, worked with Iacopetta on the research and findings.
"This outcome is important and is based on an extremely comprehensive review and analysis of current data and relevant scientific publications," Hutchinson said. "We've broken a commonly held belief that vitamin D resulting from sun exposure is good for your brain."
Interestingly, he noted that there may be evidence that UV light (sun exposure) could impact the brain beneficially, in ways other than that related to vitamin D levels.
“There are some early studies that suggest UV exposure could have a positive impact on some neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis," he said. "We have presented critical evidence that UV light may impact molecular processes in the brain in a manner that has absolutely nothing to do with vitamin D."
"We need to complete far more research in this area to fully understand what's happening," he added.
"It may be that sensible and safe sun exposure is good for the brain, and that there are new and exciting factors at play that we have yet to identify and measure.
"Unfortunately however, it appears as if vitamin D, although essential for healthy living, is not going to be the miracle 'sunshine tablet' solution for brain disorders that some were actively hoping for."
Researchers involved in this systematic review are affiliated with the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, and CNBP.
Source: Nutritional Neuroscience
https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2018.1493807
"Are the protective benefits of vitamin D in neurodegenerative disease dependent on route of administration? A systematic review"
Authors: Krystal Iacopetta, et al.
