Latest news with #MedicalCollegeofGeorgia
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Harvard study says Vitamin D may actually slow down aging
What if popping a daily vitamin could help keep you younger—at least at the cellular level? A new study from researchers at Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia says that vitamin D supplements might actually slow down biological aging. Yes, you read that right. The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, focused on telomeres—tiny protective caps at the ends of your chromosomes. As we age, these tips wear down, which is linked to age-related diseases like heart problems, certain cancers, and more. The shorter the telomeres, the more worn out your cells are. Now, here's where it gets cool: Researchers looked at data from the well-known VITAL study—a long-term clinical trial where participants were randomly given either vitamin D3 (2,000 IU/day), omega-3 fatty acids (1 g/day), or a placebo. The telomere sub-study followed over 1,000 people (women 55+ and men 50+) for up to four years. The results? Those taking vitamin D had significantly less telomere shortening compared to those on placebo. In fact, vitamin D slowed the rate of cellular aging by what would've been the equivalent of nearly three years! That's a pretty big deal when you're trying to keep your cells (and yourself) feeling young. Omega-3s, on the other hand, didn't seem to make much of a difference in this case—at least not for telomere length. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo While more research is always welcome, this study adds to growing evidence that vitamin D does more than just support your bones and immunity. It may also be quietly working behind the scenes to keep your cells younger, longer. 'VITAL is the first large-scale and long-term randomized trial to show that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres and preserve telomere length,' said co-author JoAnn Manson, the principal investigator of VITAL and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Michael and Lee Bell Professor of Women's Health at Harvard Medical School. '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,' said Manson. 'Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter a biological aging process, although further research is warranted,' said Haidong Zhu, first author of the report and a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University. Vitamin D is one of those nutrients that quietly does a ton of important stuff in your body—and most of us don't even realize we're running low on it. Nicknamed the 'sunshine vitamin' because your body makes it when sunlight hits your skin, vitamin D helps your bones stay strong by making sure you absorb enough calcium. Without it, your bones can get weak, brittle, and way more prone to breaking. But that's just the beginning. Vitamin D also supports your immune system—so you're better equipped to fight off colds, flu, and even chronic inflammation. Some studies say it may help improve your mood, too, and there's growing research linking low vitamin D to issues like depression, fatigue, and brain fog. The catch? A lot of us don't get enough sun, especially if we're indoors all day or live in cloudy places. That's where food and supplements come in—fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk, or a daily D3 capsule can help fill the gap. Don't ghost your vitamin D. So if you've been slacking on your vitamin D intake (especially if you're not getting much sun), this might be the nudge you needed to start adding it to your daily routine. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Vitamin D supplements and their link with ageing: 5 unbelievable facts
Vitamin D, crucial for bone health and immunity, may also combat aging. A study revealed that vitamin D supplements help maintain telomere length, potentially delaying biological aging by nearly three years. Furthermore, it supports cardiovascular health, improves mood, and aids in weight management, highlighting its multifaceted benefits for overall well-being. Soak in the sunshine every morning. That daily dose of vitamin D can do wonders for your health. Vitamin D, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin', plays a critical role in bone health, immune function, and overall well-being. Recent research also suggests that it may help reverse age! A recent study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia found that vitamin D supplements show signs of protection against biological aging. The findings are published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . What is vitamin D Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for maintaining healthy bones, supporting immune function, and promoting overall well-being. It is produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight and can also be consumed from animal-based foods such as salmon, cod, and egg yolks. Vitamin D and ageing The recent controlled trial revealed that vitamin D supplementation helps to maintain telomeres, the protective caps found at the ends of chromosomes that shorten during aging and are linked to the development of certain diseases. '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 and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said in a release. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Easy ways to increase your Vitamin D intake The study followed over 1,000 participants for four years and found that those who took vitamin D3 supplementation daily had slowed the process of telomere shortening. This means it delayed biological aging by nearly three years. The shortening of the telomeres is also linked to increased risk of many age-related diseases. 'Targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter a biological aging process, although further research is warranted,' the researchers noted. Vitamin D and immunity Studies have also found that a low level of vitamin D increased the risk of infections and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. A 2020 study found that vitamin D can improve immune health and decrease the susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D and cardiovascular health Vitamin D plays a crucial role in fighting disease. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. A systemic analysis and meta-analysis conducted by scientists from institutions across China and the United States in 2024 found that targeted vitamin D supplementation can improve cardiometabolic health. The analysis found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with favorable effects on various cardiometabolic risk factors, including reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin. Vitamin D and mood Studies have shown that vitamin D plays a key role in decreasing the risk of depression and also regulating mood. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 7,534 people found that vitamin D supplementation can reduce negative emotions. Researchers noted that patients with major depressive disorder and individuals with vitamin D deficiency are most likely to benefit from supplementation. Vitamin D and weight loss Vitamin D has also shown promise in weight management. A 2018 study looked at the effects of vitamin D supplementation on weight Loss, glycemic indices, and lipid profile in obese and overweight Women. After 6 weeks of supplementation in obese and overweight women aged 20–40 years, the researchers found a reduction in the mean of BMI, weight, and waist circumference. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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. Colorectal Cancer Risk Reduced By This Common Vitamin, Study Suggests 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. Read On The Fox News App 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. Aging May Speed Up In Areas With Extreme Heat, Research Suggests 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. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter 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. 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 article source: Common daily vitamin could slow biological aging, major study suggests
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
