Slow Down Aging with Vitamin D - Dr. Stengler on Vitamin D Supplements

Dr. Stengler: Does vitamin D slow aging? There's been a very interesting study released — a study out of Harvard, part of the VITAL trial, that looked at the effects of vitamin D on aging. This is very important, because all sorts of claims are made about the aging process — certain diets, different nutrients — but this one actually looked at the effects of aging.

First, have you had your vitamin D levels tested? So many patients I see for the first time have never had their vitamin D levels tested, and this greatly increases their risk of disease. People who have low levels of vitamin D lose bone mass and muscle mass. They're at higher risk for cardiovascular problems, cognitive problems including a higher risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, more problems with their immune system — whether increased susceptibility to infection or autoimmune conditions — and skin health issues. It's critical that you get your vitamin D level tested once a year and make sure you're at least mid-range. We see all the time patients with low or overtly deficient vitamin D levels, and it's so easy to correct through supplementation and getting some natural sunlight.

Let's get back to this study, which was a continuation of a large study called the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial, also known as VITAL. In the original study, thousands of adults took either vitamin D3 2,000 units a day, omega-3 fatty acids 1 gram a day, both supplements, or placebo — four different groups. Past results from the VITAL study showed impressive outcomes: a 17% reduction in advanced cancers and a 22% drop in autoimmune diseases for those taking vitamin D by itself.

In the latest study, they were looking at the effects on aging. They looked at the telomeres — the little caps, like the plastic tips on shoelaces, at the end of the chromosomes. They wanted to see if these caps were shortening, which is associated with aging and increased susceptibility to disease. As telomeres get shorter, we have higher risks of cancer, heart disease, and even early death. So the big question: could vitamin D help protect telomeres and slow down the aging process?

Here's what they found. After four years of supplementation, people taking vitamin D3 had slower telomere shortening, meaning their cells were aging more slowly. Those taking the omega-3s had no effect — and obviously omega-3s have very good effects in the body, and previous studies have shown they prevent rapid shortening of telomeres, but not in this study. People taking both together didn't get any extra protection compared to vitamin D alone. This is a really good sign that one of vitamin D's many benefits is that it protects your telomeres. If you protect those telomeres, theoretically you're not going to age as rapidly and you'll be less susceptible to disease. So make sure you get your vitamin D levels tested; if they're low or deficient, get those levels up to at least mid-range, and your health will really benefit as a result.

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