Vitamin D and brain health: the need for vitamin D supplementation and sensible sun exposure.

In February 2013, C edric Annweiler invited a number of international experts to form a task force, and they met in Boston in July 2013 to evaluate the evidence regarding the role of vitamin D in the mental health of older adults. The discussions resulted in the task force concluding that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia in older adults [1]. As noted by the task force, vitamin D deficiency is an extremely common problem worldwide for all age groups (from neonates to the elderly) [2]. Evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency in utero as well as throughout life has serious long-lasting consequences for mental health.