Vitamin D preserves telomeres to slow cell aging

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Our DNA has internal protection. However, it wears out as you get older.

According to a new study by the researchers from the Mass General Brigham and Augusta University, vitamin D supplements can slow the core markers of cell aging.

This study has been published US Clinical Nutrition Journal.

Vitamin D and telomer

As you get older, telomeres that help to protect DNA from damage are gradually shorter. Once wearing too far, the cells stop or die. This shortening is It is related to the risk of higher diseases Cancer, heart disease and self -immune status.

Researchers explored how to slow down telomeres by slowing biological aging.

One area of ​​research interest is vitamin D. Multiple studies People with high vitamin D tend to have a longer telomer, but most of them were observed. Some Small test There was some effects of vitamin D or omega -3 supplements, but the results were inconsistent and often too short to disclose long -term aging.

To solve this, researchers started Trial -The large -scale long -term random studies that test the effects of the daily vitamin D3 and omega -3 supplements of the elderly. The trial was done Already displayed Vitamin D helps to reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of immune diseases, but the team wanted to see if it helped to maintain telomeres over time.

Aging measurement at the cell level

The sub -study followed 1,054 adults over four years. All participants were 50 years old (male) or 55 years old (female) and generally healthy when the study began.

Participants were randomly assigned to take 2,000 IU vitamin D3, 1g of marine omega -3, and placebo. Blood samples were collected again at the beginning and in the second and fourth grade. The researchers used the standard method to measure the length of telomeres in white blood cells, a marker of biological aging. QPCR.

Participants taking vitamin D reduce telomeres. About 140 bass pairs are less than placebo. This is the same as biological aging of about three years.

“Vitamin D3 supplements have reduced telomeres and preserved telomeres, supporting the anti -cell aging effect of vitamin D.” Sayed author.

On average, the loss rate is slow at 0.035 kilometers every year in a vitamin D group.

But omega -3 did not have a measurable effect.

Some groups seemed to receive more benefits of vitamin D, including those under 64 years of age, non -smokers, low BMI and those who do not receive cholesterol decreased medications.

Vitamin’s anti -aging potential D

The co -author said, “VITAL is the first large and long -term random test that shows that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres and preserve telomeres. Joann MansonEndocrine scholars, epidemiologists and major researchers of various research research by Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

The result suggests potential biological mechanisms on the protection of vitamin D. Vitamins can increase my activity, a telomera that helps to rebuild telomeres. In addition, paths such as PI3K/AKT and NF-κB can protect DNA from oxidation or control inflammation. But these are still theory, but they are consistent with what are observed in laboratory and clinical studies so far.

“Our research shows that the targeted vitamin D supplements may be a promising strategy against the biological aging process, but further research is required.” Dr. Haidong ZhuMolecular geneticist of Augusta University.

In particular, the speed of telomeres is reduced, which requires a larger and more various tests to see if the long -term health results are better.

reference: Zhu H, Manson I, COOK NR, etc. Vitamin D3 and Maritime Omega -3 Fatty Benefits and White Blood Collotel Length: Four years in an important random contrast test. J clin supplies nutrition. 2025. Doi: 10.1016/J.AJCNUT.2025.05.003

This article is a re -work of the press release published by Mass General Brigham. Data on length and content have been edited.