Dr. Rhonda Patrick

Vitamin D also is an immune modulator.

So vitamin D receptors on microglia and astrocytes in the brain help reduce excess neuroinflammation.

So it basically helps lower the pro-inflammatory cytokine response in the brain.

We know that neuroinflammation plays a major, major role in the cause of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin D also upregulates a variety of neurotrophic factors, including nerve growth factor and

also brain-derived neurotrophic factors.

So this is helping support neurotransmitters, supporting learning and memory.

And then lastly, vitamin D also decreases oxidative stress.

It's been shown in the mild cognitive impairment trial that I mentioned earlier.

This was a randomized controlled trial.

Those individuals that took vitamin D also had decreased levels of various markers of oxidative stress compared to people that were given the placebo.

And so oxidative stress is an indirect way that can lead to a variety of inflammatory processes and stuff in the brain as well.

So there's several different mechanisms by which vitamin D can support brain health.

And again, it's pretty simple to get a vitamin D test and to take a relatively inexpensive vitamin D supplement as well.

I'm Dr. Rhonda Patrick, and I'll talk to you soon.

Welcome back to the podcast.

Today, we're diving deep into the science of nutrition, supplementation, training, and recovery for peak athletic performance and longevity.

And joining me is Dr. Andy Galpin.

Dr. Galpin is a professor and director of the Human Performance Center at Parker University.

He bridges the gap between rigorous laboratory research and practical real world strategies, coaching elite athletes, Olympians, and everyday fitness enthusiasts alike.