How Vitamin D Protects Your Brain from Parkinson's - AI Podcast
May 26, 2025•7 min
Episode description
Story at-a-glance
- Vitamin D may play a protective role in Parkinson's disease, with clinical trials showing improvements in balance and mobility for patients taking supplements of 1,000 to 10,000 IU daily
- The "sunshine vitamin" has neuroprotective effects in the brain, particularly in a key area affected by Parkinson's that helps produce dopamine
- Vitamin D deficiency is common in Parkinson's patients and contributes to disease progression, as this nutrient helps regulate inflammation and protects brain cells from damage
- Sunlight is the optimal source of vitamin D; ideally get daily exposure until just before your skin turns slightly pink — though those with darker skin need longer exposure times
- If sun exposure is limited, vitamin D supplements are useful to help maintain optimal levels (60 to 80 ng/mL); take supplements with healthy fats and monitor your levels with regular blood tests
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