Vitamin D and Anti-Aging
Researchers at King’s College in London have found that Vitamin D may affect the aging process. A study of 2,160 women between the ages of 18 and 79 found that those women in the study with higher levels of Vitamin D exhibited fewer aging related changes in their DNA. Vitamin D is produced during exposure to the sun. It may seem strange that over exposure to the sun can cause of skin cancer, but healthy exposure to the sun can also have a positive effect on the aging process. Low levels of vitamin D have already been connected to multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
It is also known that Vitamin D is a protector against such age related diseases as cancer and heart disease.
The scientists looked at the test group’s genetic material in the white blood cells and found that the strands of DNA called telomeres were longer where Vitamin D levels were higher. White blood cells reproduced quicker and telomere length was shorter when inflammation is present.
The results of the study are interesting but not conclusive but did seem to show that people with higher levels of Vitamin D appeared to age more slowly. Doctors do recommend that people, especially in northern climates, take between 400 to 1,000 mg. of Vitamin D, especially during the winter. A lack of the vitamin has been related to multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis and is known to help prevent heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis. For more information on other anti-aging nutritional supplements, read our post on hyaluronic acid supplementation here and collagen production by clicking here.
