While antioxidant activity is an ever vital (and valid) feature of healthy aging, promoting cellular integrity and protecting our genes is the other important part of the longevity equation. An accurate way to see the rate of cellular aging and overall longevity is by measuring telomeres.
Telomeres are protein sequences that essentially “cap” the ends of DNA strands. They protect our DNA from free radicals, modern toxins, and other potential stressors that can affect our genomic stability. When it comes to longevity, longer telomeres help protect DNA and buffer against oxidative stress.
In other words, telomere length (again, longer is better) is a viable biomarker for longevity, and vitamin D plays a role in increasing telomere activity. telomerase enzyme for maintain the length and strength of telomeres and protect cellular DNA and the ability of cells to replicate.*
In fact, a 2017 study of the Archives of Medical Sciences found a positive association between vitamin D sufficiency and telomere length, indicating that getting adequate vitamin D is vital for maintenance of genomic integrity and therefore, the potential for longevity.*
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