Scientists have found that vitamin D works more efficiently on women

The intake of vitamin D improved memory in women, but practically did not affect the cognitive functions of men – these are the results of a large -scale study of scientists from the USA. The Russian expert confirms the importance of vitamin D for the brain. However, it emphasizes that “systemic and convincing” evidence of differences in its action for men and women has not yet been obtained.

Scientists from the Institute of Neurology and Human behavior at the University of California have studied the relationship between vitamin D level and cognitive functions in adults. The results presented at the annual meeting of the American psychiatric association APA-2025 published the Medscape portal; In Russia, they were paid attention to the publication « Majesty ».

It is reported that during a five-year experiment, 25,871 people (women and men) took vitamin D3 (2000 IU/day) and omega-3 fatty acids. Another group received a placebo. Then, scientists chose 1132 participants (57% of a woman, 43% of men; the average age was 62 years). They underwent neuropsychological testing to evaluate short -term memory and mobile intelligence (the ability to think logically, analyze and solve problems that go beyond the limits of previous experience). Also, these people donated blood samples and went through an MRI scan, which appreciated various biomarkers, which can correlate with the aging process.

Among other things, scientists studied the length of the telomere participants in the experiment. We are talking about special structures located at the ends of the chromosomes. They consist of repeated DNA sequences and play an important role in cellular aging – in particular, protect the genetic material from damage and shortening.

The study showed that the intake of vitamin D3 significantly reduced the depletion of telomeres. The addition of omega-3 did not have a significant influence on this process.

In addition, scientists discovered a correlation between the high level of vitamin D in plasma in women and better memory, as well as larger subcortical structures of the brain. There was also a tendency to increase the volume of the thalamus (this is an important section of the brain that collects information from the senses and redirects it to various areas for processing). On the contrary, in men, a higher level of vitamin D was associated with smaller volumes of thalamus and other brain structures. However, one of the authors of the study Megan Reddy emphasized that the gender differences in the connection between vitamin D, cognitive functions and brain volume require further study.

The neurologist of Medicine JSC (Academician Royberg Clinic) Galina Chudinova confirms that vitamin D is not just a calcium exchange regulator, but also an active participant in many processes in the body. It is known that it affects the immune system, the work of blood vessels and neurons, and also modulates cell growth. Mortality from cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes sugar is higher in regions with low insolation, and survival in cancer is higher in summer-and these processes are also associated with vitamin D level.OThe lounger of these data is observant or experimental, including animal research. There is no sufficient evidence base at the population level, ”says Ms. Chudinova.“ This is especially true for the alleged differences in vitamin D in men and women: although there are separate works, systemic and convincing evidence has not yet been received. Perhaps they will appear in the future, when more research will accumulate. ”

Natalia Kostarova