Previous research has linked a common vitamin to a slowdown in aging \u2014 and now a new Harvard study appears to confirm those findings.<\/p>\n
The study, which was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that taking a daily\u00a0vitamin D pill\u00a0<\/a>prevented telomeres from shortening, a hallmark of aging.<\/p>\n Telomeres, which are often compared to the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces, act as \u201cprotective ends\u201d on chromosome strands, according to a Harvard press release.<\/p>\n As people age, telomeres get shorter, which can increase the likelihood of poor health and mortality, prior studies have shown.<\/p>\n Research has also suggested that higher\u00a0levels of vitamin D<\/a>\u00a0in the blood is linked to longer telomeres.<\/p>\n In this latest randomized trial, approximately 1,000 people aged 50 and older were divided into two groups \u2014 one group took 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D pills each day, and the other group took placebo pills.<\/p>\n After a four-year period, the people taking vitamin D showed less than half of the telomere shortening than the placebo group.<\/p>\n Foods high in vitamin D. bit24 \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n After a four-year period, the people taking vitamin D showed less than half of the telomere shortening than the placebo group. blackday \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Research has also suggested that higher\u00a0levels of vitamin D\u00a0in the blood is linked to longer telomeres. Jacek Chabraszewski \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n The vitamin D group also had fewer\u00a0autoimmune diseases<\/a>\u00a0and reduced inflammation markers.<\/p>\n Lead study author JoAnn Manson, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said the findings \u201csuggest a promising role for vitamin D in slowing a pathway for\u00a0biological aging<\/a>\u00a0and age-related chronic disease.\u201d<\/p>\n While the researchers were surprised that vitamin D was linked to such substantial protection against telomere shortening, Manson told Fox News Digital, the findings are consistent with previous evidence.<\/p>\n \u201cVitamin D tamps down inflammation, a major cause of telomere shortening and chronic diseases of aging,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Vitamin D recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n The question of what constitutes an \u201cadequate\u201d blood level of vitamin D is a \u201ccontroversial topic,\u201d according to Manson.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the study, the team found that 2000 IU per day was \u201cvery safe,\u201d without side effects or adverse events.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBlood levels for deficiency and recommended blood levels vary across organizations, labs and countries, which is one of the reasons for doubt about the test\u2019s usefulness,\u201d Manson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and most professional societies in the U.S. do not recommend universal screening for vitamin D blood levels or routine use of\u00a0vitamin D supplements, the researcher pointed out.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cVitamin D tamps down inflammation, a major cause of telomere shortening and chronic diseases of aging.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cThe National Academy of Medicine recommends 600 IU of vitamin D per day for adults up to age 70 and 800 IU\u00a0above age 70<\/a>, stating that these intakes will meet the requirements of the large majority of adults in the population,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the study, the team found that 2000 IU per day was \u201cvery safe,\u201d without side effects or adverse events. okrasiuk \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, recent guidelines from the Endocrine Society suggest that vitamin D supplements may be helpful for adults aged 75 and older, infants and children, pregnant women, and those with a diagnosis of prediabetes, but they don\u2019t specify a specific dose.\u201d<\/p>\n For anyone who has concerns about getting adequate vitamin D from their diet and\/or time outdoors, Manson said that supplementation with 1000 to 2000 IU\/day of vitamin D would be \u201cvery reasonable.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the U.S., foods such as dairy products, cereal and orange juice are often fortified with vitamin D, so checking nutrition labels can help you make better decisions about\u00a0which foods<\/a>\u00a0to purchase,\u201d she advised.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFatty fish, such as salmon, sardines and tuna, and wild mushrooms are other sources.\u201d<\/p>\n\n