Vit D deficit = slower information processing speed

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Vitamin D in fish makes it 'brain food'- May 22, 2009

WARSAW, England, May 22, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Mothers used to call

fish " brain food, " but researchers in Britain say fish and

sunshine really do help cerebral cognitive function.

University of Manchester scientists, in collaboration with colleagues

from other European facilities, compared the cognitive performance of

more than 3,000 men ages 40-79 years at eight centers in Europe.

Dr. Lee of Manchester's School of Translational Medicine found that

men with higher levels of vitamin D -- synthesized in the skin following

sun exposure but also found in certain foods such as oily fish --

performed consistently better in a simple and sensitive

neuropsychological test that assesses an individual's attention and speed

of information processing.

" Previous studies exploring the relationship between vitamin D and

cognitive performance in adults have produced inconsistent findings but

we observed a significant, independent association between a slower

information processing speed and lower levels of vitamin D, " Lee

said in a statement.

" The main strengths of our study are that it is based on a large

population sample and took into account potential interfering factors,

such as depression, season and levels of physical activity. "

The association between increased vitamin D and faster information

processing was more significant in men age 60 and older although the

biological reasons for this remain unclear, Lee said.

The findings are published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and

Psychiatry.

URL: www.upi.com

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