Scientists Find This Vitamin Could Add Years to Your Life
A recent study found a link between taking certain vitamins, exercising, and slowing down biological aging.
Researchers found that taking vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, and exercising affected biomarkers that determine how old you are.
Here's what experts have to say about vitamins boosting longevity.
Could the secret to a longer life live in your vitamin That's what the authors of a recent study published in the journal Nature Aging seem to believe after completing trials to see if a combination of omega-3, vitamin D, and a bit of exercise can slow aging.
Meet the experts: Suzanne Hyslop, nutritionist at Ocean Recovery Centre; Dayan Goodenowe, Ph.D., a neuroscientist known for his work on prodromes, which are the early biochemical indicators of disease
The scientists from DO-HEALTH followed 2,157 people (ages 70 and up) living in five European countries over three years to determine what effect the combination would have on a person's biological age—a number that is found using certain biomarkers to determine how old your body is relative to your chronological age. Researchers monitored participants as a randomized sampling and had them take a combination of 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D and one gram of omega-3 fatty acids daily while participating in a 30-minute strength training routine three times a week.
After three years of collecting blood samples, DNA extractions, and telephone calls, researchers found that 777 of those who took just the omega-3 supplement were able to lower their biological age by an estimated four months, while those who did all three saw even more significant results and were able to reduce their cancer risks by 61% while also improving their overall health. Additionally, 13% saw a reduction in infections with just the omega-3 dose, and 10% saw a reduction in falls.
Biological age is a term used to describe how our body ages in relation to the number of candles we have on our birthday cake each year. '[It] refers to how old our cells are and how well our tissues are functioning, which can be different from our actual chronological age,' says Suzanne Hyslop, nutrition specialist at Ocean Recovery Centre. 'It is influenced by our genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.'
According to Dayan Goodenowe, Ph.D., a neuroscientist known for his work on prodromes, which are the early biochemical indicators of disease, the primary omega-3 found in human physiology is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 'DHA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is essential for maintaining the youthful fluidity of the body's membranes,' he says.
And while our bodies can make DHA from the essential omega-3 dietary fatty acid, as we get older, Goodenowe says our ability to make DHA decreases and the oxidative stress on our bodies increases. 'These two factors contribute to our membranes becoming stiffer and less pliable as we age, in other words, 'older.'"
A dietary supplementation of DHA helps reduce the effects of aging on our membranes by ensuring that the body's membranes have optimal DHA levels, he notes.
Omega-3s also have anti-inflammatory properties, according to Hyslop, which may also contribute to the aging process.
Strength training is not just about muscle growth, Goodenowe says. It's also about increasing bone density. He says that this type of exercise can stimulate your bones to grow stronger to meet the demands of your muscles, combatting some of the frailty we associate with aging.
As for vitamin D, most of us aren't getting enough in our daily diets without adding a supplement, according to Goodenowe, which means the majority of people are already at a deficit, which may put our health at risk at any age.
'Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function,' Hyslop adds.
Because getting older and losing function appear to go hand in hand, Goodenowe says we equate aging with a loss of function. As such, he says we think that aging causes this loss of function, like a disease. Instead, he believes the opposite is true, and it's the 'loss of function' that causes aging.
'To slow aging you need to focus on maintaining function,' he says. That means staying on top of diet and exercise and adding supplements to your diet to compensate for the things your changing body needs as you get older. After checking with your healthcare provider first, of course.
Hyslop agrees. 'Physical activity, sleep, stress management, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking are also important,' she continues. 'Staying socially connected and mentally active contributes to overall well-being, which can positively influence biological aging but this is often overlooked.'
Dietary supplements are products intended to supplement the diet. They are not medicines and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure diseases. Be cautious about taking dietary supplements if you are pregnant or nursing. Also, be careful about giving supplements to a child, unless recommended by their healthcare provider.
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