Common Vitamin Supplement Could Slow Ageing, Study Suggests

Science Focus ^ | 5-22-2025 | Ezy Pearson

[blam]

A daily dose of vitamin D could help combat ageing, according to a recent study.

It found that taking vitamin D supplements for four years managed to prevent three years’ worth of ageing.

Previous studies have hinted that vitamin D supplements can help combat some of the biggest signs of ageing, which are linked to many age-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease and dementia.

To put this theory to the test, researchers from Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia studied the results of a previous trial. That experiment enlisted thousands of women over 55 and men over 50, asking them to take a daily dose of either vitamin D, omega 3 or a placebo for the next five years.

The new study focused on 1054 participants who had special tests at the beginning of the trial, at Year 2 and Year 4, measuring the length of their telomeres.

Telomeres are repeating sequences of DNA that cap chromosomes, Professor Morten Schiebye-Knudsen from the University of Copenhagen, who wasn’t involved with the study, explained to BBC Science Focus Magazine.

X chromosome with the tops coloured red Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes, preventing them from fusing together or unravelling - Credit: Getty Images/nopparit “Think of them as the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces – they prevent chromosomes from fraying or sticking to each other, which helps maintain the stability of genetic information during cell division,” he said.

Each time a cell divides, the telomeres get a little shorter. When the telomeres become too short, they lose their ability to divide, meaning their cells can no longer function.

(snip)

[matthew fuller]

Welcome back!

[blam]

"Don’t forget to take K2 with your D3."

Yes, I do, every day.

[Uncle Miltie]

I’m at 65 whatevers in my blood…

[MayflowerMadam]

“I’m 82 now and decided that it may not be fair to the dog by getting a new puppy.”

That’s why Hubby and I agree that our two cats will be our last ones. We don’t want to leave any behind and alone when we move on.

[blam]

"Welcome back!"

I've not been gone....just not posting.

[montag813]

It's critical to take a form of Vitamin D3 that will actually be absorbed.

This is by far the best Vitamin D3, which is in nanoemulsion format (oil suspended), according to ConsumerLab.com. My wife takes it every morning and it has really helped curtail her MS symptoms:

Bluebonnet Nutrition Liquid Vitamin D3 Drops 5000 IU

[Jane Long]

Wow ... very nice.

Bookmarking.

[blam]

If you take large doses of Vitamin D3, you must take K2 vitamin also:

The Best Ratio of Vitamin D3 to K2 – Optimal Dosage Explained

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[chrisser]

"That experiment enlisted thousands of women over 55 and men over 50,..."

It appears "Science" has rediscovered how to distinguish between a man and a woman.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I’ve been taking 4,000 iu of D3 everyday since about 2005 and it has kept me in great shape along with all the other supplements I take daily. They work.

[Secret Agent Man]

Hundreds of processes use it, its considered more like a master hormone, its so important.

[rolling_stone]

Consider Rescue an older dog...

[Republican Wildcat]

Also critical not to overdo it so you don’t calcify your arteries.

[Does so]

Retired, I take in the sun—bathing trunks/shirtless—when it’s out, vitamin D3, calcium w/D3, baby aspirin, and krill oil. Ill have to look into K.

Looks like I’ll make it to 82+.

:)

[TheThirdRuffian]

Most studies are 5000iu. After that a lot of people get intestinal issues.

If I recall correctly, D is a vitamin that you store, so you can frontload for a while if you live like Dracula and don’t get any Sun. So higher doses are OK for a bit then back to a maintenance dose.

[TTFX]

What do you think or read is the optimal dose for vitamin d.

- - - - - - -

The ideal blood level is 32 ng/ml. People who have 50 ng/ml or higher have more kidney stones.

[fr_freak]

If I recall correctly, D is a vitamin that you store, so you can frontload for a while if you live like Dracula and don’t get any Sun. So higher doses are OK for a bit then back to a maintenance dose.

I didn't see this study addressing whether vitamin D made from exposure to sunlight has the same effect age-slowing effect. I would guess that it does, assuming that one lives in a place where there is enough sunshine, and that people actually go out in it (go out in it, people!).

Being from California, I never in my life had to worry about enough vitamin D. Then I spent a few years living in the Pacific Northwest and after a couple of years, I could actually feel the difference in my health from lack of sunshine. I started taking the D3/K2 supplements, but I traditionally don't absorb such things very well. Once I moved back to a place with sunshine, I felt much better.

One thing I noticed once I got back to a place with sunshine - my skin looked a lot better.

[Georgia Girl 2]

For seniors its important to take K2 with the D3. It pushes the calcium into your bones and keeps it from building up in your arteries.

[TheThirdRuffian]

Real sunlight hitting the eyeballs has very important mental effects.

As for absorption of D, there are different kinds, some less absorbable than others. Easiest is D3 or cholecalciferol. Brand name multivitamins, in particular are notorious for including D2 (cheaper, powdery). The gel caps are almost always D3 (good).

It is fat soluble, so it absorbs best with foods with some healthy fats— avocado, eggs in butter, salmon, milk for example.

Conversely, it will not absorb well when eaten with fiber or trans fats. So skip the margarine and use butter and save the fiber for a different meal.

Frequent alcohol use also greatly impairs absorption, along with a host of others vitamins (B12 in particular).