New Study Finds Daily Vitamin Supplement May Slow Biological Aging and Promote Longevity

Vitamin D may have a much broader role in healthy aging than previously understood, according to new research led by a team from Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia. The study, published this month in *The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition*, indicates that vitamin D supplementation could help the body age more slowly at the cellular level.

Researchers tracked over 1,000 adults across the United States as part of a four-year randomized trial. The participants—men over 50 and women over 55—were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or daily doses of vitamin D3 (2,000 IU) and omega-3 fatty acids (1 gram). The primary focus of the trial was to measure changes in telomere length in white blood cells at several points: the beginning of the study, after two years, and at the four-year mark.

Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, often compared to the plastic aglets on shoelaces. These DNA structures naturally shorten with age, and accelerated telomere shortening is associated with a higher risk of age-related diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. Telomere length is therefore considered a key marker of "biological age"—a potentially more accurate gauge of health status than chronological age.

**Key findings from the study include:**

• Participants who took vitamin D3 had significantly less telomere shortening compared to those on the placebo.
• The degree of preservation in telomere length corresponded to nearly three years of reduced biological aging.
• Omega-3 supplements, on their own, did not affect telomere length over the four-year follow-up period.

JoAnn Manson, M.D., co-author and professor at Harvard Medical School, described the findings as groundbreaking, noting, "This is the first large-scale, long-term randomized trial to demonstrate that vitamin D supplements can protect telomeres." She also pointed out that earlier phases of the VITAL study showed vitamin D helped reduce inflammation and the risk of some chronic age-related conditions, including advanced cancers and autoimmune diseases.

The researchers caution that while the study suggests vitamin D could be a promising tool for slowing biological aging, more investigation is necessary. Dr. Haidong Zhu, the study’s lead author and a molecular geneticist, remarked that targeted vitamin D supplementation may offer benefits against the aging process, but emphasized the importance of further research to confirm these effects in broader populations and over longer timeframes.

*Experts continue to advise that individuals consult healthcare providers before beginning any new supplement regimen, in order to determine appropriate dosage and assess potential risks.*

The research adds to the growing evidence that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels might support overall health and longevity, potentially offering protection at the cellular level as people grow older.