Vitamin D3 and curcumin stimulate macrophages to clear the beta amyloid from the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease according to an article published in the March issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Low levels of vitamin D3 are associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers studied macrophages isolated from patients with Alzheimer's disease and healthy controls. They incubated these cells overnight with amyloid beta, some in the presence of vitamin D3 and/or curcumin. They discovered that vitamin D3 activated a specific chloride channel that is needed to clear amyloid beta. Vitamin D3 was a powerful stimulant and curcumin was weak, but had activity.
Information from the NHANES 111 report showed that vitamin D3 deficiency is associated with an increase risk for cognitive impairment in older Americans.
