Make sure you're getting your vitamin D from healthy sources
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 35% of U.S. adults are vitamin D deficient. But 49% of men and 59% of women age 60 and older take a vitamin D supplement -- and more than 3% of U.S. adults take supplements containing 4,000 IU or more! D-structive for some folks, it turns out.
An observational study in BMJ Open found that for people age 65 and older, unless you have a blood-test-proven deficiency or insufficiency, taking supplemental D over a six-year stretch is associated with an accelerated cognitive decline and damage to your executive functioning. Yikes!
What's causing D supplements' benefits to backfire? In my humble opinion -- BAD SUPPLEMENTS! You need to see the "P" on the label to verify that what's on the label is in the bottle. "P" is given by an independent testing laboratory, ConsumerLab.com, after verifying that the product contains 100% of its claimed ingredients, breaks down properly, and is free of harmful heavy-metal contamination. Many D's do not have the D quality or quantity in the bottle that is on the label. Furthermore, supplements containing the wrong D (not D2 or D3) appear to impact molecular signaling in the aging brain, increasing buildup of amyloid plaque.
So, first and foremost, you want to get the D you need from a healthy diet and 15 minutes of sunshine before putting on SPF 35+ sunscreen. It's your best route to a healthy, cognitively sharp older age. "What to Eat When" and the "What to Eat When Cookbook" are your super-guides to D-licious foods, including wild salmon.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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