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Association between vitamin D supplement use and cognitive functioning: a longitudinal cohort study
Rong Hua1,2, Chun Sing Lam2, Vincent Chung Tong Mok3,4,5
1School of Nursing, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
BMJ Open
|January 22, 2026
Summary
Vitamin D supplements did not slow cognitive decline in older adults with sufficient vitamin D levels. Healthcare providers should advise caution regarding supplementation without clear indications.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Nutritional Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Evidence linking vitamin D supplementation to cognitive outcomes remains limited and conflicting.
- Investigating the real-world impact of vitamin D supplement use on cognitive function in older adults is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal association between vitamin D supplement use and subsequent cognitive functioning in a US older adult population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study utilizing data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) waves 12-15.
- Included 5065 US older adults (mean age 67.5 years), with cognitive function assessed over 6 years.
- Linear mixed models were used to estimate changes in cognitive scores, adjusting for covariates.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D supplement users exhibited an accelerated decline in global cognitive function (difference: -0.052 points/year) and executive function (difference: -0.021 points/year) compared to non-users.
- This accelerated decline was specifically observed in supplement users with normal baseline serum 25(OH)D levels.
- No significant association was found between vitamin D supplementation and cognitive decline in individuals with insufficient or deficient vitamin D levels.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D supplementation does not appear to prevent or slow cognitive decline in older adults with adequate vitamin D status.
- Recommendations for vitamin D supplements in older adults should be made cautiously, prioritizing dietary intake and sun exposure.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of vitamin D in cognitive health and to identify appropriate supplementation strategies.
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