05/06/2025
A new study suggests that vitamin D supplements may help slow biological aging by preserving telomere length—protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten as we age.
Published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study found that adults taking vitamin D3 over several years showed significantly less telomere shortening in white blood cells compared to those taking a placebo. This cellular preservation could equate to roughly three fewer years of biological aging.
The data, drawn from the VITAL trial, involved more than 1,000 participants aged 50 and over and included assessments at two- and four-year intervals. While omega-3 fatty acids showed no significant effect, vitamin D appeared to slow telomere loss, particularly in non-obese and non-white participants and those not on cholesterol medication.
Experts caution that this was a post-hoc analysis not originally designed to assess telomere health, and its generalizability is limited due to participant demographics and data gaps. Still, the findings support growing evidence that vitamin D may offer broader benefits beyond bone health—potentially reducing risks of age-related diseases.
Researchers propose that vitamin D might influence enzymes like telomerase or protect DNA from oxidative damage. However, experts warn against excessive supplementation, as high doses can cause kidney damage due to vitamin D’s fat-soluble nature.
If validated by future studies, these findings could inform new guidelines in preventive medicine, emphasizing vitamin D’s role in healthy aging and cellular longevity.
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RESEARCH PAPER 📄
Haidong Zhu et al., "Vitamin D3 and marine ω-3 fatty acids supplementation and leukocyte telomere length: 4-year findings from the VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL) randomized controlled trial", The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2025)
