Vitamin D supplementation linked to slower telomere degradation

A study conducted by Augusta University in the United States suggests that Vitamin D supplementation may slow certain biological aging processes. Researchers monitored 1,031 participants, with an average age of 65, over a five-year period.

The study divided participants into two groups: one receiving a daily dose of 2,000 IU of Vitamin D and a control group receiving a placebo. Results indicated that the Vitamin D group maintained 140 more base pairs in their telomeres compared to the placebo group. Telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, serve as key indicators of cellular biological age.

Experts suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of Vitamin D may be the mechanism responsible for slowing this degradation. For context, telomeres typically shorten by approximately 460 base pairs per decade during natural aging.