Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D3
For the body system: Brain
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vitamin D3 and Brain Body System Support: Evidence Synopsis
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is well-known for its role in bone health, but scientific research has also explored its influence on brain health and neurological function. Vitamin D receptors and activating enzymes are present in many areas of the brain, suggesting a potential physiological role. Observational studies have linked low serum vitamin D levels to an increased risk of cognitive decline, depression, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Some interventional studies have shown modest improvements in mood and cognitive performance with vitamin D supplementation, particularly in individuals who are deficient.
However, the evidence is not uniformly strong. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that while there is a biological rationale and some supportive data, results across clinical trials are inconsistent, often limited by small sample sizes, variable dosing, and short durations. The strongest evidence exists for the correction of deficiency, as severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mood disturbances. There is less consensus on benefits in individuals with adequate baseline levels.
In summary, vitamin D3 is justified by scientific evidence for supporting brain health, especially in deficient populations, but robust, large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy for prevention or treatment of specific neurological conditions. The current evidence quality rates as moderate (3/5).
Other ingredients that support Brain
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
brussel sprouts
bасора
caffeine
calamari oil
California poppy
cannabis sativa oil
canola oil
cassia bark
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
colostrum
copper
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
cowage seed
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fava bean
feverfew
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gardenia
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
greek mountain tea
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guarana
guayusa
hemp oil
hesperetin
hops
huperzine A
Indian tinospora
inositol
iron
knotweed
jujube
kale
kava root
krill oil
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-glycine
l-serine
l-phenylalanine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lecithin
linoleic acid (LA)
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
lutein
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
mannitol
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
moringa
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
pantothenic acid (vitamin B5)
passionflower
phenolic acids
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
polygala root
pomegranate
potassium
pregnenolone
prolyl endopeptidase (PEP)
protein
pumpkin
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
quinoa
reishi mushroom
relora® (proprietary)
resveratrol
rhizome
rhodiola
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
selenium
shrimp
black ginger
skullcap
soybean
spearmint leaf
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
thiamin (vitamin B1)
threonic acid
thyme
tocotrienols
tongkat ali
trans-pterostilbene
triphala
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
valerian root
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vinpocetine
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
water
whey protein
mulberry
zinc
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
jiaogulan
tangerine
gastrodia
cardamom
mugwort
neem tree
tinospora cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
sodium salt
kanna
silk tree
chrysanthemum
cistanche
ganoderma
sweet flag
lotus seed
morinda
oriental arborvitae
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
royal jelly
terpene lactones
polyphenols
trace minerals
purslane
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
wheat germ
noni
wood betony
goji berry
hypothalamus
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
DMPX
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3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Antler
Arginine Creatine
Asiaticoside
Angelica
Arachidonic Acid
Apigenin
Anserine
Anamu
Albizia
Alpha glyceryl
Avocado
Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetylcholine
Agarwood
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Adrenaline
Alpha lactalbumin
anthocyanidins
Asteracea
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Acetylsalicylic acid
Algal protein
Aniracetam
anthocyanosides
Apocynin
Arginine silicate
Animal protein
Betony
Black Seed
Beta Phenethylalamine
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Baikal Skullcap
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Biopterin
Blubber oil
Breadnut
Boswellic Acid
Belleric myrobalan
Black galingale
Beef
Beef liver
Bone Marrow
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
berry
Brazil nut
Brahmi
Bacopa
Broad Bean
Bee products
Blue-Green Alage
Borage
banana
BCAA
bacoside
Baicalin
Borneol
Bird's nest
Chia seed
Curculigo orchicides
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Centella triterpenes
Caryophyllene
California chia
Cinnamomum
Crocin
Clary sage
Cocarboxylase
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cyanobacteria
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Carnosine
Catalpol
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cactus
Cyanidin
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Catecholamine
Cruciferous
Cytisine
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Creatine
Cinidium
Chicken
Capitate Valerian
Curcuma
Carnosol
Calanus finmarchicus
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Crocetin
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Cytidine
Crypthecodinium
cola nut
Canscora
Currant
Carnosic acid
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
Dismutase
Danshen
Dendrobium
Dihydromyricetin
Decursin
Dehydroascorbic acid
Deer Velvet
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Dihydrolipoic Acid
Dragonhead
Dwarf Morning Glory
Dopamine
Date
Deanol
Dextrose
epicatechin
Egg
Erythrina
Ergothioneine
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Elthyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Egg protein
Enokitake
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Glycine
jasmine
Ketone Salts
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Periwinkle
Poppy
peanut
Pistachio
Quinoa Protein
Rose
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Squid
Sucrose
salt
Sandalwood
Vervain
walnut
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