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Because of the many benefits of vitamin D, this nutrient is at the center of vitamin research. Vitamin D’s role in bone health is well known, and new research is also highlighting its physiological effects on human health, including aging.
Vitamin D plays a vital role in regulating calcium absorption, while also contributing to immune function and overall health. The National Institutes of Health recommends an intake of 15 μg per day for people ages 1 to 70. This can be obtained through sun exposure, certain foods, and supplements.
Aging is a complex and multifaceted process in which organ function gradually declines and the risk of age-related diseases and mortality increases. Researchers studying aging are interested in how to slow this process and prevent age-related diseases such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Aging is related Vitamin D deficiency or dysregulation of vitamin D function is likely, which can be caused by: Decreased vitamin D receptors Expression and changes in expression of vitamin D metabolic enzymes. FFactors such as limited nutrition and sun exposure may also increase the risk of deficiencies in older adults. Therefore, many scientists are studying whether vitamin D can lead to healthy aging.
Vitamin D and characteristics of aging
Recently published review articles nutrients, We investigated the effects of vitamin D on aging characteristics. A set of biological mechanisms that are finely regulated and contribute to biological changes associated with several age-related diseases.1 The researchers conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed and Embase using keywords related to vitamin D and 12 hallmarks of aging over the past 10 years.
Ruggiero et al. We found evidence that vitamin D can affect various aspects of aging, including DNA integrity. cellular aging and immunomodulation. Although vitamin D supplementation has shown promise in addressing specific features such as dysbiosis and microbial balance, the effects of vitamin D on the aging process and age-related diseases and clinical Further research is needed to fully understand the impact.
Protective role of vitamin D/vitamin D receptor pathway
Recent research published in aging We investigated the role of vitamin D in the aging process of intestinal epithelial cells. – differentiated intestinal cells (EC) – in Drosophila Model of the intestines. 2 The researchers used a Drosophila model in which the specific gene for vitamin D receptor (VDR) was knocked down and applied immunostaining to study the role of VDR in the cell cycle, including PH3. – specific Biomarkers of proliferating cells Stains cells in late G2 and mitosis.
Knockdown of VDR in ECs increased intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation and DNA damage accumulation, EC death, ISC senescence, and enteroendocrine cell differentiation. VItamine D treatment also reduced ISC proliferation induced by aging and oxidative stress.
Their findings suggest a direct anti-aging effect of the vitamin D/VDR pathway protecting ECs during aging. Drosophilaproviding insight into the potential mechanisms underlying healthy aging.
Vitamin D deficiency and early-onset dementia
Research published in JAMA Neurology investigated several risk factors for early-onset dementia that affect people under 65 years of age.3 The study used data from more than 350,000 UK participants obtained from the UK Biobank.
Researchers used multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, a multivariate approach to analyzing survival data in medical research, to assess the association between risk factors and the incidence of early-onset dementia. and investigated 39 potential risk factors. They identified 15 risk factors associated with a higher risk of early-onset dementia, including vitamin D deficiency.
“The cause is often thought to be genetic, but for many people we don’t know exactly what the cause is, so this study also looked at other risk factors. “We wanted to do that,” said lead author Dr. Stevie Hendricks. Researcher at Maastricht University.
The protective effects of vitamin D on the characteristics of aging and age-related symptoms are becoming increasingly clear, but further research is essential to fully understand its therapeutic potential.
References:
- Ruggero C, Taffaro L, Cianferrotti L, et al. Targeting the hallmarks of aging with vitamin D: Start decoding the myths. nutrients. 2024;16(6):906. doi: 10.3390/nu16060906
- Park JS, Na HJ, Kim YJ. Antiaging effects of vitamin D and vitamin D receptors in the Drosophila midgut. aging. 2024.doi: 10.18632/aging.205518
- Hendricks S, Ranson JM, Pietoum K, et al. Risk factors for early-onset dementia in the UK Biobank. JAMA New Roll. 2024;81(2):134. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.4929
