Latest news with #JoAnnManson
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Want to reverse age? THIS powerful supplement might do the trick
Scientists have discovered that vitamin D supplementation may offer protection against biological aging. A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that vitamin D helps maintain telomeres, which are crucial for protecting chromosomes. The research suggests that vitamin D3 supplements can significantly reduce telomere shortening, potentially preventing the equivalent of nearly three years of aging. Humans are obsessed with freezing time, especially when it comes to aging. Though aging is a natural process, the quest to slow it down, or even reverse it, never ends. For centuries, scientists have been working on slowing down the aging process. Now, new research has found that a certain vitamin could offer protection against biological aging. The nutrient in the spotlight is vitamin D In a groundbreaking study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , the researchers found that vitamin D supplementation helps maintain telomeres, protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten during aging and are linked to the development of certain diseases. The study is based on the data from a VITAL sub-study co-led by researchers at Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia. '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 of particular interest because VITAL had also shown benefits of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and lowering risks of selected chronic diseases of aging, such as advanced cancer and autoimmune disease,' co-author JoAnn Manson, MD, principal investigator of VITAL and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system said in a statement What are telomeres A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA sequences at the end of a chromosome. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo These protect the ends of chromosomes from degrading or fusing with other chromosomes. Telomere shortening is a natural part of aging and is associated with an increased risk of various age-related diseases. Previous short-term studies have suggested that vitamin D or omega-3 fatty acid supplementation may help support telomeres, however, the results have been inconsistent. The VITAL was a large, five-year trial that tested vitamin D3 (2,000 IU/day) and omega-3 fatty acid (1 g/day) supplementation in US females aged 55 years and older and males aged 50 years. The sub-study had 1,054 participants, whose telomere length in white blood cells was assessed at baseline in the second and fourth years. You're Not a Victim of Fate: Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Explains Why They found that people who took vitamin D3 supplements significantly reduced telomere shortening over four years, preventing the equivalent of nearly three years of aging compared with those who didn't. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, however, had no significant effect on telomere length throughout follow-up. 'Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter a biological aging process, although further research is warranted,' Haidong Zhu, PhD, first author of the report and a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, added. Sunlight is the most effective way for the body to produce vitamin D naturally. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun, it produces vitamin D. Some foods are also rich in vitamin D. These include fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, herring, and trout. Red meat, egg yolks, liver, and cod liver oil are also good sources of the vitamin. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Taking 9p daily supplement shown to ‘counter ageing process' by three years
Shorter telomeres have been linked to ageing, as well as inflammation, which is associated with autoimmune diseases as well as cancer SUNNY SIDE Taking 9p daily supplement shown to 'counter ageing process' by three years A CHEAP and easy-to-find supplement could slow ageing by three years, scientists say Experts already urge Brits to take vitamin D from October to March, when sunlight is too weak for the body to produce enough naturally. Advertisement 1 The common supplement could counter three-years worth of ageing Credit: Getty Vitamin D regulates calcium and phosphate levels, essential nutrients for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. Now, scientists suggest taking the supplement daily for four years could slow ageing by helping preserve protective DNA caps, known as telomeres, which shrink as we get older. Shorter telomeres have been linked to ageing, as well as inflammation, which is associated with autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. But don't rush out to buy supplements just yet. Advertisement The findings need to be confirmed with additional research, the US scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said. 'Dietary supplements will never be a substitute for healthy diet and healthy lifestyle, and we've made it very clear time and again that the focus should be on the diet and lifestyle rather than on supplementation,' Dr JoAnn Manson, a co-author of the study, said. 'However, targeted supplementation for people who have higher levels of inflammation or a higher risk of chronic diseases clearly related to inflammation, those high-risk groups may benefit from targeted vitamin D supplementation," she told The Washington Post. The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, analysed data from 900 US adults over 50, who took part in the ongoing VITAL trial. Advertisement Some were given 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3, others 1g of omega-3 fish oil a day, or a placebo, for four years. Scientists then measured the length of telomeres in the blood at the start, and again after two and four years. Top 5 Vitamins for Beautiful Hair Previous studies observed a link between vitamin D and longer telomeres, but couldn't prove the vitamin caused the effect. This latest trial was randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled - the gold standard of clinical research - making the findings more robust. Advertisement Those taking vitamin D3 saw significantly less telomere shrinkage than those who didn't, equivalent to a three-year slowdown in ageing. Meanwhile, government-funded research has found that more than one in 10 adults in the UK are lacking in the sunshine vitamin. How can I boost my vitamin D levels? You can derive a certain amount of vitamin D from your diet, through foods like: Oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel Red meat Liver (avoid liver if you are pregnant) Egg yolks Fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals It's recommended that children aged one and above and adults take a supplement with 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day during autumn and winter. Advertisement You can get a box of Ultra Vitamin D 2000 IU Extra Strength (96 tablets) from Boots for just 9p a tablet. You'll find similar prices at Holland & Barrett and Morrisons too.
Fox News
27-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Common daily vitamin could slow biological aging, major study suggests
Vitamin D might be doing more than just supporting bone health — it could also help the body age slower, according to a new study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham (MGB) and the Medical College of Georgia. The study, published this month in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reveals that taking vitamin D supplements may protect against biological aging by slowing the shortening of telomeres, the tiny caps on DNA that naturally erode as people grow older. Conducted as part of a nationwide four-year trial, the study tracked over 1,000 U.S. adults (men over 50 and women over 55) and found that daily vitamin D3 could reduce biological wear and tear, equivalent to nearly three years of aging, according to a press release from MGB. Participants were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or a daily dose of vitamin D3 (2,000 IU) and omega-3 fatty acids (1 gram). Telomere length in white blood cells was measured at the start of the study, at the two-year mark and after four years. Compared to the placebo group, those taking vitamin D3 had significantly less telomere shortening, the researchers found. In contrast, omega-3 supplements "had no significant effect on telomere length throughout follow-up," the team reported. This was the first large-scale, long-term randomized trial to show that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres, according to co-author JoAnn Manson, M.D., the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women's Health at Harvard Medical School. "This is of particular interest because VITAL (the trial) has also shown benefits of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and lowering risks of selected chronic diseases of aging, such as advanced cancer and autoimmune disease," Manson said in the release. Telomeres act like protective tips at the ends of chromosomes, similar to the plastic ends of shoelaces, according to the researchers. They "prevent chromosome ends from degrading or fusing with other chromosomes." Over time, these DNA caps shorten, which is a natural part of aging and is linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases. Because of this, scientists view telomere length as a marker of "biological age," which may better reflect a person's health status than their actual age in years. Earlier phases of the trial showed that vitamin D supplementation could reduce inflammation and lower the risk of certain chronic age-related conditions, such as advanced cancers and autoimmune diseases, Manson noted. While the new telomere findings don't prove that vitamin D slows aging across the board, researchers say it points to a potentially powerful way to protect the body at the cellular level. "Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter the biological aging process, although further research is warranted," said first author Dr. Haidong Zhu, a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia, in the release. Previous research suggested vitamin D could reduce inflammation and lower the risk of some age-related diseases. The research team emphasized that more work is needed to determine how vitamin D impacts aging in different populations and whether these effects endure over longer timeframes. For more Health articles, visit Before starting a new supplement regimen, experts recommend consulting with a healthcare provider to discuss proper dosage and potential risks.
Gulf Insider
26-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Vitamin D Supplements May Help Slow Aging, New Study Finds
A study published on Thursday found that people with higher vitamin D intake may be slowing a process linked to aging. In a paper released by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on May 22, Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia researchers looked at results from a randomized controlled trial known as VITAL showing that taking vitamin D3 supplements can help support telomeres, which are protective ends on chromosomes. 'VITAL is the first large-scale and long-term randomized trial to show that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres and preserve telomere length,' co-author JoAnn Manson said in a statement issued by Mass General Brigham. 'This is of particular interest because VITAL had also shown benefits of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and lowering risks of selected chronic diseases of aging, such as advanced cancer and autoimmune disease.' VITAL, they said, is a randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind trial of vitamin D3 and omega-3 supplementation involving U.S. females aged 55 and older and males aged 50 and older. Participants took 2,000 IU, or about 50 micrograms, of vitamin D3 per day and about 1 gram of omega-3 per day. In their research, they found that when taking vitamin D3 supplements as compared with taking a placebo, it significantly reduced the shortening of telomeres over a four-year period and was able to prevent 'the equivalent of nearly three years of aging,' the statement said. The researchers said that while several smaller-scale studies have suggested that vitamin D or omega-4 fatty acid supplements could help maintain telomeres, the results haven't been consistent. The researchers also noted that taking omega-3 supplements did not have a significant effect on the length of telomeres. Omega-3 is also commonly found in fish oil supplements and is associated with several benefits to the heart, brain, and joints. 'Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter a biological aging process, although further research is warranted,' Haidong Zhu, an author of the study who works at Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia, said in a statement. Separate research has suggested that shorter telomeres are associated with aging and a higher chance of developing certain diseases. According to a paper published by the National Institutes of Health, telomere length can potentially serve as a 'biological clock' to determine how long a cell lives or how long an organism will live. Telomeres, which are made of sequences of DNA, prevent the ends of chromosomes from merging with other chromosomes or deteriorating over time, the researchers noted. Vitamin D can be obtained through sunlight or foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, cheeses, orange juice, fortified cereals, and certain types of mushrooms. Also Read: $67 In France And $798 In US – Why Prescription Drug Prices Are So High In America
Yomiuri Shimbun
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Vitamin D May Slow a Process Related to Aging, New Study Suggests
People who have a higher vitamin D intake may be slowing down a biological process linked to aging, according to a study published this week. But don't rush out to buy supplements just yet. The findings need to be confirmed with additional research, and the vast majority of people in the United States are already getting enough vitamin D from diet and sunlight, experts say. In the new analysis, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and other universities looked at telomeres – the protective caps of DNA code at the ends of chromosomes – which tend to shorten as we age. It's a biological 'clock' of sorts, and shorter telomeres have been linked to an increased risk of certain diseases. Vitamin D supplements, though, may slow that shrinking process, the new research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, has found. While previous studies have shown an association between vitamin D and telomere length, most were observational. The new study is randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled, lending more credence to the findings. 'We think these findings are promising and warrant further study. But we think that the replication will be important before changing the general guidelines for vitamin D intake,' said JoAnn Manson, a co-author of the study and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Reduced telomere shortening The findings are part of a larger study, called the VITAL trial, that Manson and other researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, have been conducting for five years. It involves 25,871 participants – U.S. women age 55 and older and men age 50 and older – who have been given 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3 a day and 1 gram of Omega 3 fatty acid a day to determine their effects primarily on cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention. The telomere study focused on about 900 of those participants, largely from Boston, whose telomere length in white blood cells was assessed at baseline and again in years 2 and 4. Researchers found that compared with the group taking the placebo, those taking vitamin D supplements had reduced telomere shortening over four years. Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation, on the other hand, had no obvious effect on telomere length. How telomeres may be associated with aging During each cell division, telomeres ensure that the cell's chromosomes do not fuse with one another or rearrange themselves, and with each replication, the telomeres shorten a bit. This process is associated with aging as well as an increased risk of infections, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The researchers think that vitamin D supplementation's benefit is related to tamping down inflammation, Manson said. Inflammation has been associated with autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. Healthy diet and lifestyle are critical While vitamin D may have benefits, Manson emphasized that it is not a cure-all. There are many chronic diseases that do not seem to be reduced by vitamin D supplementation, she said. 'Dietary supplements will never be a substitute for healthy diet and healthy lifestyle, and we've made it very clear time and again that the focus should be on the diet and lifestyle rather than on supplementation,' she said. 'However, targeted supplementation for people who have higher levels of inflammation or a higher risk of chronic diseases clearly related to inflammation, those high risk groups may benefit from targeted vitamin D supplementation.' The telomere study was randomized, meaning participants were randomly assigned to either the vitamin D supplement group or the placebo group to ensure that characteristics such as age, health status, diet and lifestyle are balanced between the groups. Randomization is considered the gold standard in clinical research because it makes the groups as similar as possible at the start of the study. 'All of the risk factors for chronic disease, for telomere shortening, the age, the demographics, the physical activity, diet, underlying health, hypertension, diabetes, all these risk factors are balanced out by the randomization process,' Manson said, meaning the only difference between the two groups was that one received vitamin D and one did not. And the study was also 'double-blinded,' meaning that not only did the participants in each group not know which was receiving the supplement, but neither did the technicians administering it. What other research and experts say Not all studies have been as promising with regard to telomere preservation. A paper published in 2023 in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, for instance, concluded that 'routinely supplementing older adults, who are largely vitamin D replete, with monthly doses of vitamin D is unlikely to influence telomere length.' Between 2014 and 2020, researchers at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane, Australia, led a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 1,519 participants, to see whether vitamin D supplementation would affect telomere length. They gave the supplement monthly to half of the participants and found no difference between those who received it and those who did not. Carol Greider, a professor at the University of California at Santa Cruz who won the 2009 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for her discovery of telomerase, an enzyme that protects telomeres from shortening, said in an email that she was skeptical of the new study's findings. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or qPCR, an assay that was used in the recent study to measure telomere length, has been shown in a number of publications to be unreliable, Greider wrote. The clinical standard for measuring telomere length is a technique called Flow FISH, which is highly reproducible. Greider also noted that different subtypes of blood cells have different telomere lengths, so any changes in the cell type distribution in the blood could raise or lower the blood's average telomere length, not because the length changed but because the types of cells present changed. She cited a perspective published in Aging Cell in March, in which the authors question research from 2024 that suggested spaceflight, like the Inspiration4 mission, which lasted just three days, increased the average telomere length of the white blood cells of those on the flight. It's not that the telomeres are longer, the authors of the Aging Cell article wrote; it's that the composition of their white blood cells changed, raising the average telomere length. 'So while there may or may not be an effect of Vitamin D on telomeres, the methods used in this study are unlikely to be able to accurately document those changes without any control for cell type distributions,' Greider wrote.
