Vitamin D Supplementation Slows Telomere Shortening in Aging
A New Study from the VITAL Trial Highlights Vitamin D's Potential to Combat Cellular Aging
Topline:
Supplementing with vitamin D significantly slows the shortening of telomeres, potentially reducing biological aging by up to three years, according to recent findings from the VITAL randomized trial.
Study Details:
The Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL), led by researchers from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, aimed to investigate the potential anti-aging benefits of vitamin D. Telomeres, protective structures at chromosome ends, shorten with each cell division, contributing to aging and related diseases.
Methodology:
The study involved 1,071 participants with an average age of 65 years. Participants received blood tests at the beginning of the study, then again after 2 and 4 years. Telomere length was measured using a precise quantitative PCR technique to determine the rate of shortening.
Key Findings:
Vitamin D supplementation notably reduced telomere shortening.
Over four years, participants taking 2000 IUs of vitamin D per day showed significantly less telomere shortening compared to those in the placebo group.
In the placebo group, researchers observed a steady and measurable decline in telomere length consistent with normal aging. However, in the vitamin D group, this shortening was nearly halted, indicating a protective effect.
The difference in telomere attrition between the groups was statistically significant (P = .037) and corresponded to an estimated delay in biological aging of about three years. This aligns with prior evidence that vitamin D may enhance telomerase activity the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length. While omega-3 supplementation did not yield a similar protective effect, vitamin D alone demonstrated a meaningful impact on a key biomarker of cellular aging.
Implications for Practice:
These findings suggest vitamin D supplementation could become an effective approach for mitigating cellular aging, potentially reducing risks associated with aging-related diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
For healthcare providers, this evidence may support integrating vitamin D supplementation into preventive care strategies, especially in older populations.