Scientists from King’s College London have found a possible link between slower aging and vitamin D. In a study of over 2,000 women between 18 and 79 years old, researched found that higher women with higher levels of vitamin D in their systems, trended to have “young” age biomarkers.

“Our findings suggest that higher vitamin D concentrations, which are easily modifiable through nutritional supplementation, are associated with longer LTL, which underscores the potentially beneficial effects of this hormone on aging and age-related diseases.”, wrote researches of the results.

The results are exciting, according researchers, because it is the first time levels of vitamin D have been associated with slower aging. The results may point to why vitamin D has been shown to have a protective effect on many age related illnesses like inflammation, osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease.

The study measured DNA elements called telomeres, which are a biological marker of ageing. As we age our telomeres get shorter. Researchers found that the women with high levels of vitamin D had longer telomeres, a sign, biologically speaking, of youth and of better health.

Of the longer telomeres the scientist wrote: “The difference in LTL between the highest and lowest tertiles of vitamin D was 107 base pairs, which is equivalent to five years of telomeric ageing.

The importance of vitamin D has been highlighted in a number of recent studies that have found it is important in helping protect against inflammation, cancer and heart disease. Vitamin D is primarily created by our bodies by sunlight, is available in supplements, and in some foods like eggs and fish oils.

The study is published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Source
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
King’s College London