Free shipping on all ordersShop now
Vitamin D Linked to Improved Cognitive Function in Older Men
Back to blog
Brain HealthDurk & SandyLife Extension News Articles- Durk Pearson and Sandy ShawApril 22, 2025

Life Priority story

Vitamin D Linked to Improved Cognitive Function in Older Men

A Life Priority perspective on health, habits, and the choices that shape how well we keep showing up.

Themes in this story

1

Simplify defaults

2

Add color

3

Support the goal

Read the story, then use these themes to decide what deserves attention in your own routine.

The Durk Pearson & Sandy Shaw®
Life Extension NewsTM
Volume 12 No. 5 €¢ October 2009Life Extension; Dopamine agonists such as cocaine and methamphetamine (“speed”) have been shown to increase the speed of the internal clock.;Arginine for pain, pain is the hallmark of sickle cell disease, with some patients in pain all of the time. Durk Pearson & Sandy Shaw.;Niacin; Debate in the health community about the benefits of synthetic ingredients (created in a laboratory) in nutritional supplements.

Higher Levels of Vitamin D Associated With Improvements in Certain Aspects of Cognitive Function in Middle-aged and Older European Men

A  paper1 reports on the association between Vitamin D and cognition in 3,369 men aged 40-79 years from eight centers enrolled in the European Male Ageing Study. Tests for different aspects of cognition were included. There was no significant difference between those with high levels of 25(OH)D and those with lower levels except in the DSST test. The DSST test is described in the paper as a “subtest adopted from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales and provides a reliable measure of psychomotor speed and visual scanning. Participants were asked to make as many correct symbol-for-digit substitutions as possible within a 1 minute period.”

Themes to carry forward

Notice

Start with the pattern you can actually see

Energy, sleep, digestion, mood, movement, and recovery all leave clues. Paying attention to the pattern makes the next step more useful.

Simplify

A smaller routine is easier to keep

Choose one or two habits that fit your real week. Food quality, hydration, movement, sleep, and stress recovery usually matter before complexity.

Support

Match supplements to a specific priority

A focused supplement routine works best when it supports a clear goal and sits alongside the basics you already repeat.

The authors conclude: “Although we were unable to specifically explain this observation , the DSST appears robust . . . .” However, note that the association between 25(OH)D and DSST score was only significant among the older men, that is, those aged 60-69 and 70-79.

Lee et al. Association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and cognitive performance in middle-aged and older European men. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 80:722-9 (2009).

FDA Disclaimer's
Life Priority, established in 1994, offers supplements that are scientifically-formulated, results-oriented, and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) and are manufactured at USDA and FDA inspected facilities. Information provided for educational purposes only. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Practical takeaways

Ways to apply it

Small actions, repeated

Add

  • Color
  • Protein
  • Fiber
  • Healthy fats

Reduce

  • Stale foods
  • Sugary defaults
  • Impulse snacks
  • Friction

Support

  • Clear goal
  • Meal rhythm
  • Hydration
  • Consistency

*The products and statements made about specific products on this web site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. All information provided on this web site or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this web site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new vitamins, supplements, diet, or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
*Any testimonials on this web site are based on individual results and do not constitute a guarantee that you will achieve the same results.

Related support

Support for the routine behind the story

Next step

Find the support that fits your next priority

The supplement quiz can help turn a broad wellness goal into a more focused routine.