Telomeres, which are often compared to the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces, act as “protective ends” on chromosome strands, according to a Harvard press release.<\/p>\n
Common Daily Vitamin Could Slow Biological Aging, Major Study Suggests<\/strong><\/a><\/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 levels of vitamin D<\/a> in the blood is linked to longer telomeres.<\/p>\n Read On The Fox News App<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n 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 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 The vitamin D group also had fewer autoimmune diseases<\/a> and reduced inflammation markers.<\/p>\n Common Vitamin Shown To Reduce Autoimmune Disease<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Lead study author JoAnn Manson, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, said the findings “suggest a promising role for vitamin D in slowing a pathway for biological aging<\/a> and age-related chronic disease.”<\/p>\n Fatty fish, including salmon, sardines and tuna, and wild mushrooms are other sources of vitamin D, an expert said.<\/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 “Vitamin D tamps down inflammation, a major cause of telomere shortening and chronic diseases of aging,” she said.<\/p>\n The question of what constitutes an “adequate” blood level of vitamin D is a “controversial topic,” according to Manson.<\/p>\n In the study, the team found that 2000 IU per day was “very safe,” without side effects or adverse events.<\/p>\n To Stay Healthy, Eat More Foods With Vitamin D, Nutrition Expert Advises<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “Blood 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,” Manson said.<\/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 vitamin D supplements<\/a>, the researcher pointed out.<\/p>\n “The National Academy of Medicine recommends 600 IU of vitamin D per day for adults up to age 70 and 800 IU above age 70<\/a>, stating that these intakes will meet the requirements of the large majority of adults in the population,” she said.<\/p>\n “However, 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.”<\/p>\n In the study, the team found that 2000 IU per day was “very safe,” without side effects or adverse events.<\/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 “very reasonable.”<\/p>\n “In 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 which foods<\/a> to purchase,” she advised.<\/p>\n “Fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines and tuna, and wild mushrooms are other sources.”<\/p>\n Groups at high risk for vitamin D deficiency include those living in nursing homes, people with malabsorption conditions like Crohn\u2019s or celiac disease<\/a>, those being treated for osteoporosis or other bone health problems, and those with major dietary restrictions, such as severe lactose intolerance, according to Manson.<\/p>\n “[People in these groups] should talk with their doctors about being tested for vitamin D blood levels and taking a vitamin D supplement,” she recommended.<\/p>\n Groups at high risk for vitamin D deficiency include those living in nursing homes, people with malabsorption conditions like Crohn\u2019s or celiac disease, and those being treated for osteoporosis or other bone health problems.<\/p>\n The doctor noted that people need only small to moderate amounts of vitamin D for good health<\/a>, as the vitamin\u2019s metabolism is “tightly regulated” in the body.<\/p>\n “More is not necessarily better, and very high doses \u2014 such as more than 10,000 IU\/d \u2014 may be associated with high blood or urine calcium levels and toxicity,” she cautioned.<\/p>\n Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Manson emphasized that taking a supplement is not a substitute for a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n “Although it\u2019s much easier to pop a pill than to be physically active outdoors and eat healthfully, these lifestyle factors will do more to keep you healthy and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease<\/a>, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases of aging,” she said.<\/p>\n Going out for a 15-minute walk a few times a week at midday will typically provide enough sunlight exposure for the skin to synthesize vitamin D, Manson added.<\/p>\n “Even more important for your health would be to exercise outdoor<\/a>s, such as brisk walking, jogging or playing sports.”<\/p>\n “Although the results are exciting, we believe that replication of these results in a separate randomized trial<\/a> will be important before changing general guidelines for vitamin D intake,” said Manson.<\/p>\n For more Health articles, visit\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>www.foxnews.com\/health<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The study was supported in part by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.<\/p>\n![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/e360e6c78023b8393b9e73cf217071cd.jpeg\"\/)
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