Vitamin D: The Potential of Extending Human Lifespan
If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, poor sleep quality, hair loss, or muscle weakness, you may be one of the nearly 70% of individuals that have suboptimal vitamin D levels. A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that maintaining healthy vitamin D levels may extend lifespan.
Due to the role vitamin D plays in longevity, it is absolutely critical to maintain healthy vitamin D levels as you age. In this article, we will discuss the new research on vitamin D and longevity and discuss the role vitamin D plays in several key areas of aging.
Vitamin D and Longevity
Published in the Annals of Internal Medicine Journal, this study looked at data from more than 300,000 participants between the ages of 37 and 73 and tracked their health status over the span of 14 years.
The study found that individuals with higher levels of vitamin D had a significantly lower risk of death from all causes compared to those with lower levels of vitamin D. After analyzing statistics from participants in a 14-year follow-up, individuals with higher levels of vitamin D had a significantly reduced risk of death from heart complications and other chronic health conditions.
Vitamin D and Heart Health
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for maintaining a healthy heart. Studies have shown that adequate levels of vitamin D can help reduce the risk of developing heart complications as you age.
Additionally, research has suggested that vitamin D supports a healthy inflammatory response and may help protect against arterial plaque buildup and other heart related concerns. Age is the predominant risk factor in the development of heart complications and vitamin D plays a crucial role in protecting the heart from symptoms of accelerated aging.
Vitamin D and Bone Health
Vitamin D is also essential for proper bone health. Studies have shown that vitamin D plays a role in the regulation of calcium and phosphorous levels, which are important for strong bones and teeth.
In addition, research shows that vitamin D can help to increase the body's absorption of calcium and magnesium, two minerals that work synergistically to improve bone density.
Vitamin D and Brain Health
Studies have found that adequate levels of vitamin D can help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. A decline in brain function and vitamin d deficiency are both common amongst older individuals, suggesting a potential relationship between vitamin d deficiency and brain aging. Therefore it’s important to ensure that you get adequate amounts of vitamin D to ensure optimal brain health.
Key Takeaways
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for overall health and longevity. Maintaining healthy levels of vitamin D is critical to prevent symptoms of accelerated aging including heart health issues, decreased bone density, and cognitive decline.
If you have questions about what dose of a vitamin d supplement is right for you (or any other supplement questions), contact our Nutrition Advisor, Joe, on our free nutrition advisor platform and he will help you find the most appropriate supplement that suits your unique needs.