Researchers warn the elderly to watch their consumption of vitamin D and calcium. High levels of both calcium and vitamin D can significantly increase the number of brain lesions, which have been linked to cognitive impairment, dementia, depression and stroke.

“At this point, we do not know if high calcium and vitamin D intake are involved with the causation of brain lesions, but the study provides support to the growing number of researchers who are concerned about the effects of too much calcium, particularly among older adults, given the current emphasis on promoting high intakes of calcium and vitamin D,” says Dr. Martha Payne.

Payne and her fellow investigators at Duke University evaluated the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of 232 men and women (79 men, 153 women) between the ages of 60 and 86 (average age 71). They accounted for other reasons for lesions, including age, hypertension, and other medical conditions.

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