Vitamin D Supplements May Slow Shrinking Of DNA Telomeres, Study Suggests

The Washington Post (5/22, Chesler) reports a study suggests that “people who have a higher vitamin D intake may be slowing down a biological process linked to aging.” In the study, researchers observed “telomeres – the protective caps of DNA code at the ends of chromosomes – which tend to shorten as we age.” However, they found that vitamin D supplements “may slow that shrinking process.” They believe “vitamin D supplementation’s benefit is related to tamping down inflammation.” With that said, researchers “emphasized that it is not a cure-all” because “there are many chronic diseases that do not seem to be reduced by vitamin D supplementation.” The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.