Now This Common Supplement May Slow Aging, Too

Researchers have identified a common supplement that can slow aging. It may even be in your medicine cabinet already.

Science isn’t turning back the clock on chronological aging (how long you’ve been alive), but it is working to combat the speed of biological aging, which is determined by the overall condition of the cells in your body.

Research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition measured the biological age of study participants by analyzing their telomeres, which are like caps at the ends of chromosomes — thread-like structures made of DNA and found in cells.

Each time a cell divides to help regenerate tissue, telomeres can get a bit shorter and more worn down. Because of this gradual shortening, telomere length can be a useful indicator of biological aging.

The recent study — led by researchers at Mass General Brigham, an academic health care system in Boston — found that vitamin D supplementation helps maintain telomeres.

Previous research has indicated that vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may help support telomeres, but with inconsistent results.

This recent study tracked participants taking 2,000 international units (IU) per day of vitamin D3 and 1 gram per day of omega-3 fatty acid for five years, in a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

A telomere sub-study included over 1,000 of these participants and assessed telomere length in white blood cells at the beginning of the study and at years two and four.

Taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily significantly reduced telomere shortening over the span of four years, ultimately preventing the equivalent of nearly three years of aging compared to participants who took placebos.

Omega-3 supplementation had no effect on telomere health (although it may help in slowing the aging process in other ways).

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This is just one added benefit of taking vitamin D.

Vitamin D also is linked to improving bone and muscle health, boosting immunity, decreasing cancer death risk and staving off diabetes, according to Stanford University.

Of course, you should always talk to your health care provider before starting a new supplement or otherwise changing your current supplement regimen. Even vitamins can cause side effects or interfere with prescription medications.