Vitamin D Supplementation Found to Slow Telomere Shortening Associated with Biological Aging
Results from the VITAL randomized controlled trial have unveiled the positive impact of vitamin D supplementation on maintaining telomeres, the protective caps located at the ends of chromosomes that tend to shorten with age and are linked to the development of certain diseases.
The latest report, recently published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, stems from a VITAL sub-study conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia. The study highlights the potential of vitamin D in slowing down a pathway for biological aging.
Dr. JoAnn Manson, the principal investigator of VITAL and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, expressed, “VITAL is the first large-scale and long-term randomized trial to show that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres and preserve telomere length. This is particularly significant as VITAL also demonstrated the benefits of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and lowering risks of various chronic diseases associated with aging, such as advanced cancer and autoimmune disorders.”
Telomeres are composed of repetitive DNA sequences that safeguard chromosome ends from deterioration or fusion with other chromosomes. The shortening of telomeres is a natural process of aging and is associated with an increased susceptibility to age-related diseases.
While previous small-scale studies suggested that vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation could support telomeres, the outcomes were inconsistent. VITAL, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, monitored individuals aged 50 and older for five years. The VITAL Telomere sub-study, which included 1,054 participants, assessed telomere length in white blood cells at baseline, Year 2, and Year 4.
The results indicated that individuals taking vitamin D3 supplements experienced a significant reduction in telomere shortening over four years, effectively preventing almost three years of aging compared to those taking a placebo. On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not exhibit a significant impact on telomere length over the follow-up period.
Dr. Haidong Zhu, the first author of the report and a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, remarked, “Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may offer a promising approach to counteract a biological aging process, although further research is warranted.”
For more information, the study titled “Vitamin D3 and Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation and Leukocyte Telomere Length: 4-Year Findings from the VITAL Randomized Controlled Trial” can be accessed in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
This groundbreaking research sheds light on the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in slowing down telomere shortening associated with biological aging. As further investigations are carried out, the role of vitamin D in promoting healthy aging and reducing the risk of age-related diseases continues to be a topic of interest in the scientific community.
