Vitamin D effects mood and brain function 31-10-2007 Aside from its effects on calcium levels and bone mineralisation together with its anti-cancer and immune stimulating properties allied with its ability to lower blood pressure, prevent auto-immune diseases like multiple sclerosis and diabetes and help with insulin production and regulation of blood sugar levels the all-embracing capacities of vitamin D also extend to its impact on brain function and mood.  Low vitamin D levels have been associated in recent reviews with low mood, impaired mental function, schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease.  Vitamin D has been found to reduce the seizure incidence in epileptic patients and an analog of vitamin D has been found to cause regression of brain tumours like glioblastoma and astrocytoma in some suffering from these forms of cancers.  Vitamin D is thought to influence cognitive function in a positive way by increasing a brain chemical called acetylcholine which influences memory.  Vitamin D also stimulates synthesis of nerve growth factor.  Vitamin D has been shown to be neuroprotective against stroke and by its ability to attenuate neurotoxic insults could have a major impact in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.  Vitamin D has the potential to increase glutathione which helps with detoxification and protection against free radical stress.  The review examining vitamin D’s potential contribution to preventing memory loss and resultant dementia is of the opinion that supplementing with vitamin D might offer potential therapy for preventing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s dementia.