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Time of India
3 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
The Hill
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Vitamin D supplements may slow aging: Study
Vitamin D does many wonders for the human body, and now, supplements have added one more. According to findings published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition earlier this week, vitamin D supplements, across a four-year study, slowed the shortening of telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes that shrink as one ages. 'The finding that these telomeres seem to be protected against shortening, and that their length was being preserved by vitamin D supplementation, suggested that vitamin D may have a role in slowing biological aging,' Dr. JoAnn Manson, study coauthor and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, told Fortune. The 25,871 people studied also took Omega-3 supplements. Those showed to have 'no significant effect' on shortening telomeres. Results suggest 2000 IU, or 50 micrograms, of vitamin D with or without Omega-3 supplements may stall telomere erosion. The National Institute of Health recommends 600 IU a day for individuals aged between 1 and 70 and 800 IU for those above 70. 'Having a healthy diet and time outdoors, being physically active, will be enough for the majority of the population to have adequate vitamin D status,' Manson said.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Vitamin D supplements may slow aging: Study
(NewsNation) — Vitamin D does many wonders for the human body, and now, supplements have added one more. According to findings published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition on May 21, vitamin D supplements, across a four-year study, slowed the shortening of telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes that shrink as one ages. 'The finding that these telomeres seem to be protected against shortening, and that their length was being preserved by vitamin D supplementation, suggested that vitamin D may have a role in slowing biological aging,' Dr. JoAnn Manson, study coauthor and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, told Fortune. Scientists create contact lenses allowing sight in the dark The 25,871 people studied also took Omega-3 supplements. Those showed to have 'no significant effect' on shortening telomeres. Results suggest 2000 IU, or 50 micrograms, of vitamin D with or without Omega-3 supplements may stall telomere erosion. The National Institute of Health recommends 600 IU a day for individuals aged between 1 and 70 and 800 IU for those above 70. 'Having a healthy diet and time outdoors, being physically active, will be enough for the majority of the population to have adequate vitamin D status,' Manson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Popular supplement may be the secret to slowing down aging — here's how much you need
Want to age a little more like Helen Mirren and a little less like your iPhone battery? A new study says the fountain of youth might already be in your medicine cabinet. 3 A new study says the fountain of youth might already be in your medicine cabinet. Galina Zhigalova – Researchers of a trial called VITAL, which tracked women and men over 50 for five years, found that vitamin D supplements may help slow biological aging by as much as three years. Another popular supplement — those infamous omega-3 fatty acids — was not shown to have the same effect. This study, published Wednesday in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed that vitamin D seems to shield telomeres — the tiny caps at the ends of your chromosomes that shrink as you age and are tied to diseases like cancer, heart issues and other chronic conditions. Telomeres are like the caps on your shoelaces — when they wear down, things start to unravel quickly. 'Our findings that vitamin D supplementation preserved telomere length in the VITAL trial suggest a promising role for vitamin D in slowing a pathway for biological aging and age-related chronic disease,' Dr. JoAnn Manson, principal investigator of VITAL and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, told The Post. 'But we believe that replication of these results in a separate randomized trial will be important before changing general guidelines for vitamin D intake.' That's partly because what is considered an appropriate level of vitamin D remains, as she put it, 'a controversial topic.' 3 Vitamin D seems to shield telomeres — the tiny caps at the ends of your chromosomes that shrink as you age and are tied to diseases like cancer, heart issues and other chronic conditions. FotoHelin – 'Blood levels for deficiency and recommended blood levels vary across organizations, labs and countries, which is one of the reasons for doubt about the test's usefulness,' Manson said. 'For example, the National Academy of Medicine suggests a level at or above 20 milliliters (mL), but some other organizations recommend 30 mL or even higher levels. There's no consensus or agreement on the optimal level to aim for.' Furthermore, while many trusted health organizations don't recommend routine vitamin D screening or supplementation for everyone, new guidelines from the Endocrine Society suggest supplements for adults age 75 and older, infants and children, pregnant women and those with a diagnosis of prediabetes, 'but they don't specify a specific dose,' she said. Manson noted that other groups that might be at risk for vitamin D deficiency include those living in nursing homes where there may be little sun exposure, those with malabsorption conditions such as Crohn's or celiac disease, those being treated for osteoporosis or other bone health problems and those with major dietary restrictions such as severe lactose intolerance. She added that participants in their trial consumed 2000 IU/d — the equivalent of 5 mL — without any negative side effects, so she considers this a safe amount to take. 3 Researchers of a trial called VITAL found that these supplements may help slow biological aging by as much as three years. Prostock-studio – If supplements aren't for you, other good sources of vitamin D include fatty fish — such as salmon, sardines and tuna — wild mushrooms, some cereals, dairy products and orange juice. 'Going out for a 15-minute walk a few times a week at midday is usually enough sunlight for the skin to synthesize vitamin D, and this can be incidental sun exposure such as while running errands,' Manson said. 'Even more important for your health would be to exercise outdoors, such as brisk walking, jogging, or playing sports.' She also cautions against thinking that more is better when it comes to supplements. 'We need only small-to-moderate amounts of vitamin D for good health because the vitamin's metabolism is tightly regulated in the body,' she said. 'Very high doses — such as more than 10,000 IU/d — may be associated with high blood or urine calcium levels and toxicity.' Finally, don't forget that supplements are only meant to supplement — not replace — lifestyle choices that benefit your well-being. 'Keep in mind that taking a supplement will never be a substitute for a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle,' Manson said. 'Although it's much easier to pop a pill than to be physically active outdoors and eat healthfully, these lifestyle factors will do more to keep you healthy and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases of aging.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Just Discovered a Surprising Health Benefit of Tea
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RDA new study suggests that eating more flavonoids may help improve quality of life as we age. Berries, apples, red wine, oranges and black tea had the strongest associations. Adding more plant-based foods to your day can support healthier are living longer than ever. From 1900 to now, we've increased our longevity by over 30 years. But living longer doesn't necessarily equate to being healthy and having a high quality of life, especially as we age. That means it's important to focus on both lifespan (number of years lived) and healthspan (number of years with good health). Reasons for the increase in longevity have a lot to do with medical advances, including diagnosing, treatments, surgical options and research. While these things may improve quality of life, they often only cure or improve the disease state. This means that ultimately, your quality of life depends on your habits. Though some may think these habits are more important in midlife and older age, the younger you are when you establish healthy habits—even in childhood—the more likely you are to continue them throughout your lifetime. And let's face it: The more established habits become, the more difficult they are to change. Diet plays a large role in how well our bodies and brains function, as well as how quickly they age. Researchers from Australia and the U.S. teamed up to take a closer look at a powerful plant compound—flavonoids—aiming to establish relationships between them and healthy aging. They recently published their findings in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Let's break them down. Related: 6 Habits Women in Their 20s Should Start for Healthy Aging, According to Experts Researchers drew data from two long-term U.S. studies—the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). The NHS began in 1976 with 121,701 female nurses between the ages of 30 and 55 at baseline; the HPFS included 51,529 male health professionals aged 40 to 75 at baseline and started in 1986. Researchers included 62,743 females and 23,687 males from these studies for this current analysis. This study aimed to examine relationships between flavonoid intake and three indicators of healthy aging: frailty levels, physical function and mental health. Flavonoids are plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Foods high in flavonoids include berries, oranges, apples, dark chocolate and tea. For this study, researchers looked at several angles, including a 'flavodiet' score based on the number of flavonoid servings per day, flavonoid subclasses and more. To examine flavonoid intakes, researchers used participants' food frequency questionnaires, which were completed at baseline and every four years. Frailty is defined as having three or more of these self-reported criteria: fatigue, poor strength, reduced aerobic capacity (i.e., getting short of breath more easily with activity), five or more chronic illnesses, and 5% or greater loss of body weight. Frailty was determined based on answers to a questionnaire every four years. Physical impairment was assessed throughout the study period based on a 10-question survey about physical limitations in performing various moderate and vigorous activities. Participants were given a score, calculated on a 100-point scale. Those scoring under 80 were considered physically impaired. Mental health was assessed using three different scales at various times throughout the study period. Poor mental health was determined based on the scores. Related: How Poor Gut Health Can Increase Anxiety and Depression Risk & What to Eat to Help Because researchers were looking at so many aspects of flavonoids and various factors, many results surfaced from this study. The researchers observed the clearest associations between flavonoids and healthy aging in the Nurses' Health Study, which included only female participants. For female participants, those who ate the most flavonoids had a 15% lower risk of developing frailty, a 12% lower risk of developing impaired physical function and a 12% lower risk of developing poor mental health compared to those who ate the least flavonoids. The researchers also broke down those findings for female participants food by food. The findings included that when comparing highest to lowest intakes: Tea, red wine, blueberries, apples and oranges were associated with an 11% to 21% lower risk of frailty. Red wine, blueberries, apples, strawberries and oranges were associated with 4% to 14% lower risk of physical impairment. Apples, strawberries, oranges and grapefruit were associated with 10% to 15% lower risk of poor mental health. The findings for citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit also included their juice, so even a morning glass of OJ may have beneficial effects. Related: Is Orange Juice Good for You? Here's What Dietitians Say There were few strong associations for male participants, but they largely had to do with high amounts of flavonols supporting better mental health with age. For instance, female participants who increased their intake of flavonoid-rich foods by three servings a day were at a lower risk for all three aging outcomes, while male participants only experienced a lower risk for poor mental health. Researchers aren't entirely sure why men didn't show the same level of risk reduction as women. While there may be some sex differences, they surmise that it might also be due to the shorter follow-up time in the male study compared to the female study. Less follow-up time means less data to work with, so more research needs to be done to gain clarity in this area. One limitation of this study is that it depended on self-reporting on diet, which opens up the possibility of bias and incorrect estimation. The participants of this study were largely white professional men and women, so it is unknown whether the results extend to other populations. Related: Scientists Just Discovered a New Health Benefit of Coffee While we often focus on living longer, the same habits contributing to longevity can also help improve quality of life. If this is your goal, this study suggests including plenty of foods rich in flavonoids—and that includes drinks like black tea. While all tea leaves are loaded with antioxidants, this study primarily considered black tea. But other teas rank right up there, too, including green, hibiscus, oolong, white and rooibos. This study did not note whether the tea was consumed plain or was embellished with sugar or cream, but if you're going to become a regular tea sipper, we suggest drinking it plain most of the time to avoid consuming too much added sugar and saturated fat. If you want the extra flavoring, consider sweetening your tea with allulose or stevia and using a touch of milk or nondairy milk for creaminess. Of course, those recommended flavanol-rich foods also include berries, apples and citrus fruits and juices. Eat the fruits whole or use them in tasty recipes, including smoothies and our Lemon-Blueberry Overnight Oats, Spring Pea Salad with Strawberries or Slow-Cooker Chile-Orange Chicken Tacos. Moderate red wine intake was linked to healthier aging in this study. It's important to emphasize that the benefits were exclusively related to red wine. Plus, research is mixed regarding alcohol and health. If you stick to just one 5-ounce serving with dinner, there is evidence that you might experience health benefits to your heart and brain. Beyond these limits—and for some, with any amount of alcohol—health benefits diminish. Related: 5 Fruits with More Fiber Than a Bowl of Oatmeal, According to a Dietitian This study didn't include dark chocolate in the analysis, but that, too, is rich in flavonoids. If you're looking for creative ways to add dark chocolate to your food lineup, give some of our highly rated recipes a try, including our Crispy Peanut Butter Balls and Chocolate Nut Bark. This study suggests that eating foods rich in flavonoids may reduce your risk of frailty, physical impairment and poor mental health as you age, especially for women. The foods they found had the greatest influence in these areas are black tea, berries, apples and citrus fruits and juices. Assess how many of these foods you're currently including in your diet and start by adding a serving each day, gradually increasing over time. Other lifestyle areas that influence healthspan include physical activity, stress, sleep and time spent with loved ones. Take a big-picture view of your health and start with any area you feel you'll have the most success in. This will make it easier to build on that success, as small steps lead to big changes over time. Related: Scientists Just Discovered a Heart-Healthy Benefit of Pecans Read the original article on EATINGWELL
