Eggs, fish and sunlight are all good sources of vitamin D

A study of over 3,000 men aged 40-79 found that those with high vitamin D levels did better on memory and other brain tests, however scientists are still unclear why this is.

There are several theories as to why there seems to be a link between vitamin D deficiency and a brain that shows the signs of ageing more.  The vitamin may trigger an increase in protective hormonal activity in the brain, although this has only been proved so far in animals.  Vitamin D may also dampen down the effects of an overactive immune system or boost levels of antioxidants that ‘detoxifiy’ the brain.

Whatever the reason it seems vitamin D, which comes from eating fish and exposing the skin to sunlight, is definitely important – it can also help reduce arthritis, heart disease and some cancers, and if the new research holds true it could play a significant part in prolonging the health of the nation in the future.

Professor Tim Spector from Kings College London said this was an important first step towards using vitamin D more effectively, “We now need to study the best way to use vitamin D properly in prevention.”