From ... in Biology Neuroscience Science Health — May 26, 2025

The Role of Vitamin D in Parkinson’s Disease

You probably know vitamin D as the "sunshine vitamin" that keeps your bones strong. But it may also play a surprising role in protecting your brain, especially if you're concerned about Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a brain disorder that mostly affects people over 60. It causes tremors, slow movements, stiffness and even mood changes. While there's no known cure, managing the symptoms well makes a big difference in your daily life. And vitamin D, especially when optimized via safe sun exposure, is one of

the tools that help. So, how does this simple nutrient fit into the picture? Let's explore what science is learning about vitamin D and Parkinson's and how to harness vitamin D to help protect your brain health as you age.

A 2023 review published in Clinical Nutrition Open Science looked at four clinical trials where people with Parkinson's took vitamin D supplements. Some saw improvements in balance and walking, especially during shorter walking tests like a six-minute walk. That may not sound like a big deal, but even small gains in mobility mean more independence. • Does the dose matter? The trials used doses from 1,000 to 10,000 IU a day. Interestingly, the highest doses didn't always lead to the best results. Some people did better with moderate amounts, especially when the dose was tailored to their weight. • How did they measure success? Researchers used two main ways to track progress: physical tests and self-reported surveys. Surveys didn't show much change, but physical movement tests did. This suggests vitamin D helps your body move better, even if you don't notice huge changes right away.

You may be surprised to learn that vitamin D turns on and off thousands of genes — some of them in your brain. It helps nerve cells grow and stay healthy. Scientists call this a "neuroprotective" effect, meaning it shields your brain from damage. • Where it matters most — Your brain has special spots that use vitamin D. One of these is the substantia nigra, a key area affected in Parkinson's. This part helps make dopamine , a chemical that controls movement and motivation.

• Why low levels are a problem — People with Parkinson's often have lower levels of vitamin D, even if they spend time in the sun. This has led researchers to wonder if the disease affects how your body uses vitamin D or if low levels could even play a role in causing it. • Could it help prevent brain aging? Vitamin D has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers, which help slow down the aging process in your brain. • What happens as you age? As you get older, your skin doesn't make vitamin D as easily from sunlight. On top of that, your bones lose density and your muscles get weaker. For people with Parkinson's, this raises the risk of falls and fractures, especially in women. • It also supports mood and memory — Vitamin D isn't just about bones and muscles. It plays a role in how your brain makes dopamine. Low levels have been linked to mood problems and balance issues in people with Parkinson's.

You've got two main ways to keep your vitamin D levels where they need to be: sunshine and supplements. Both work, but one is clearly nature's favorite — and, ideally, sunshine is the best source of vitamin D. Your skin makes vitamin D3 when it's exposed to sunlight. That's why it's often called the “sunshine vitamin.” But timing and skin type matter. Here's how to get sun exposure safely: • Get just enough sun daily — Expose your bare skin to direct sunlight daily. To gauge safe sun exposure, perform a simple "sunburn test." The goal? Stop just before your skin turns slightly pink. That's your body's signal that you've had enough. Sunburns don't mean more vitamin D, they mean damage. • Ditch vegetable oils at least six months before you sunbathe — Vegetable oils like soybean, corn and sunflower oil are packed with linoleic acid . When that builds up in your skin and mixes with the ultraviolet rays, it creates inflammation. If you eat a

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lot of processed foods, avoid peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) until you've cut back for several months. • More melanin means more time — If you have darker skin, you need longer sun exposure to make enough vitamin D than someone with lighter skin. Your body stops making vitamin D when you've got enough, so you can't overdo it from sunlight alone. • There's more to sun exposure than vitamin D — Another reason to get vitamin D from the sun? Sun exposure not only generates vitamin D but also triggers the production of other beneficial compounds that support immune function, cardiovascular health and even mental well-being.

Your brain runs on energy, and your cells rely on tiny power plants called mitochondria to make it. In fact, a single resting brain cell needs nearly 5 billion molecules of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) — your body's energy currency — every second. When your mitochondria can't keep up, brain function starts to slip. Over time, that leads to neurodegeneration . So, how do you keep your mitochondria working their best? • Sun exposure plays a big role — When sunlight hits your skin, it not only helps you make vitamin D, it also signals your mitochondria to work more efficiently. Daily sun exposure is important as it promotes cellular energy production by stimulating mitochondrial melatonin, offering powerful antioxidant protection. • What are other ways to protect your mitochondria? Cut out vegetable oils, as they're rich in LA that causes mitochondrial dysfunction. Eat the right kinds and amounts of carbs for your activity level, and minimize your exposure to toxins like endocrine-disrupting chemicals in microplastics.

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If you live somewhere cloudy or cold, or work indoors all day, it's difficult to get enough sun exposure. Even in the summer, many people spend most of their time indoors, missing out on valuable sun exposure. That's where vitamin D3 supplements come in. If you can't get enough vitamin D from sun exposure, here's what you need to know about vitamin D supplementation: • Get your vitamin D level tested — The only way to know if you're low in vitamin D is to get a blood test. Aim for vitamin D levels between 60 and 80 ng/mL (150 to 200 nmol/L). This is the sweet spot for most health benefits. • Adjust supplement dosage as needed — Adjust your sun exposure and vitamin D3 supplements to keep your vitamin D level in the optimal range. Get your vitamin D levels tested twice a year to ensure you're on track. • Pro tip for absorption — Take your vitamin D3 supplement with a meal that contains healthy fat like grass fed butter, egg yolks or tallow. Vitamin D3 is fat-soluble, so you'll absorb it better with fat. • Take vitamin D with magnesium and vitamin K2 — Research highlights the importance of taking vitamin D in conjunction with vitamin K2 and magnesium. These nutrients work synergistically within your body. A study of 2,920 individuals indicated that many of those not taking magnesium and K2 required a remarkable 244% more oral vitamin D to achieve similar healthy levels compared to those who took magnesium and K2. This suggests that combining all three supplements significantly reduces the amount of vitamin D needed to maintain optimal health. Therefore, when considering vitamin D supplementation, it's wise to also include magnesium and vitamin K2 for enhanced effectiveness.

Q: Can vitamin D really help with Parkinson's disease symptoms?

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A: Yes. Research shows vitamin D helps with balance and movement in some people with Parkinson's. Clinical trials found small but meaningful improvements in walking and stability, especially during short physical tests like a six-minute walk. Q: Why do people with Parkinson's often have low vitamin D? A: Many people with Parkinson's have lower vitamin D levels, even with adequate sun exposure. Aging, digestion problems, medications and the disease itself affect how well your body makes or uses vitamin D. Q: What's the best way to get more vitamin D naturally? A: Sunlight is your best source. Aim for daily exposure — until just before your skin starts to turn slightly pink. Avoid sunburns, and ditch vegetable oils for at least six months before spending time in peak sun (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to avoid skin damage. Q: What if I don't get enough sun — should I take a supplement? A: If you live in a cloudy climate or stay indoors often, a vitamin D3 supplement is a smart backup. Get your levels tested and aim for levels between 60 and 80 ng/mL. Always take D3 with healthy fat for better absorption. Q: How does vitamin D support your brain and energy? A: Vitamin D helps your mitochondria — the tiny power plants in your cells — work more efficiently. This supports brain health, improves energy production and slows the processes that drive neurodegeneration in Parkinson's.

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