Those suffering with Parkinson’s disease are more likely to be vitamin D deficient than those of the same age or individuals with Alzheimer’s, new research has found.
In news that may be of interest to those seeking long term care for themselves or a relative, a report in the October issue of Archives of Neurology – one of the JAMA/Archives journals – noted that the supplement was important for the maintenance of several physiological functions.
The article explained that a lack of vitamin D was linked to an increased risk of disease and those with chronic neurodegenerative conditions could also suffer from advancing age and obesity as a result.
Marian L Evatt, of the Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, said 55 per cent of test individuals with Parkinson’s had insufficient vitamin D levels, compared with 36 per cent of the control subjects and 46 per cent of those with Alzheimer’s.
"These findings support the previously suggested need for further studies to assess what contribution a low 25(OH)D [a measure of blood vitamin D levels] concentration adds to the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease," she explained.
Meanwhile, the optical condition glaucoma is not reversible but it can be prevented from worsening, British specialist Ian Murdoch has noted.
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