Health · Fitness & Nutrition · 12 hrs ago
Daily vitamin D was linked to better telomere preservation in older adults
Researchers at Augusta University in the United States followed 1,031 people with an average age of 65 for five years.
Half took 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily, while the others took a placebo.
Telomeres are protective structures at the ends of chromosomes, and they usually shorten as cells divide.
The vitamin D group preserved 140 more base pairs of telomere length than the placebo group, according to the study.
Shorter telomeres have been linked to some diseases of ageing, but this result does not show that supplements prevent those diseases or slow ageing.
The study dose is higher than the recommended daily intake listed in the article, and experts do not agree on the best dose.
More research is needed to confirm the benefits and clarify the right dose, so the findings are not a reason to start taking high-dose supplements; the article says established healthy-ageing habits include exercise, a balanced diet, good sleep, not smoking and managing stress.
A study linked daily vitamin D supplements with better preservation of telomeres in older adults.
Researchers followed 1,031 people with an average age of 65 for five years.
Participants taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily had telomeres preserved by 140 base pairs compared with those given a placebo.
The study measured participants’ telomeres at the start, after two years and after four years.
The article says it is too early to recommend high-dose vitamin D to slow ageing.
- Who
- Researchers at Augusta University studied 1,031 people with an average age of 65.
- What
- The study found better telomere preservation among people taking daily vitamin D than among those given a placebo.
- When
- Participants were followed for five years. Telomeres were measured at the start, after two years and after four years.
- Where
- The study was from Augusta University in the US.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers measured participants’ telomeres as the five-year study began.
Researchers measured participants’ telomeres again.
Researchers took a further measurement of participants’ telomeres.
Researchers followed 1,031 people, half of whom took 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily and half of whom received a placebo.
- Study participants
- 1,031 people
- Average age
- 65
- Study duration
- Five years
- Daily vitamin D dose
- 2,000 IU
- Telomere preservation
- 140 base pairs in the vitamin D group compared with the placebo group
- Study institution
- Augusta University, US