It seems like we’re always in pursuit of the fountain of youth (not to mention, spending a pretty penny doing it) – be it an anti-aging cream, the latest beauty treatment, supplement, or fashion trend. . But nonsense aside, we all want to improve our longevity so we can live the longest, healthiest, fullest life possible, right? Although the jury is still out on anti-aging creams, science says there are factors that can determine longevity.
We actually have two ages: the chronological age of the time you were born, and the age of life, or the age at which your body functions. And your age may be younger or older than the age shown on your driver’s license. Translation: You may be chronologically 30, but have a life expectancy of 24 and have a low risk of dying. But wait, there’s more good news: Recent studies suggests that by getting vitamin D, we can slow down the aging process – that is, change the lifespan by one year – and improve longevity. Ahead, experts break down life expectancy and all the details you need to know about vitamin D supplementation.
What is age?
You life expectancy takes into account many biological and physical factors other than your date of birth, such as genetics, lifestyle, nutrition, and disease. “The age of life represents the age of our cells, tissues, and organs, according to their condition and function as determined by biochemical,” said Dr. Xiaojing Yang, group leader of Epigenetics and myDNAge. “Our focus is epigenetics, which is the study of how our lifestyle and environment can affect the way our genes work and express themselves. This plays a very important role in determining the rate of aging, in turn, affects the longevity of your body and longevity DNA methylation biomarkers, we can calculate a person’s age.”
In other words, age is the rate at which you age physically. And your habits — diet, exercise, and sleep (or lack thereof) — and exposure to environmental toxins (think: air pollution and chemicals) can affect your epigenetic makeup, determining whether you’re immune. your age or increase it. What does it take? “What we’ve learned now is that we can naturally reorganize our epigenome and change our lifespan at any time,” Dr. Mark Hyman, an expert in functional medicine, explained by The Cut.
So how do you find out your age? No the most accurate analysis analyzes your epigenetic data using DNA samples from your fluid, blood, or urine. But thanks to a new company offering at-home tests that reveal the “magic number,” it’s never been easier. For more information about testing your age, talk to your doctor about the best test for you.
How Vitamin D Supplements Can Affect Your Age
Roughly 35% of adults in the United States is vitamin D deficient, and based on recent studiesthose who may be missing prevent premature aging: he found that those with low vitamin D in their blood they are “old” and have chromosomes (AKA DNA processors) that appear older than those with adequate vitamin D (30-100 ng/mL).
Dr. William Li, physician and New York Times bestselling author of Eat to beat your diet: burn fat, heal your metabolism, and live longerexplained why: “Vitamin D is responsible for many functions in the body that slow down aging, such as reducing inflammation, preventing oxidative stress, supporting immune function, improving bone health, reducing the risk of telomeres, which are protective caps. Our DNA. Supplementing with vitamin D adds to the body’s control of these aspects of aging, although the exact mechanism is still being investigated.”
What you need to know about vitamin D supplementation
What dosage should I take?
There is no one-size-fits-all dosage and frequency for taking vitamin D; they depend on many factors, such as your personal needs and your environment. “Knowing how much vitamin D to take can be a challenge,” he relayed Dr. Arielle Levitan, a certified in-house physician. “Many of us don’t get enough if we don’t take vitamin D supplements, but knowing how much to take requires professional advice. Needs can vary depending on factors including where you live (regarding sun exposure ), skin color, health status, and body weight.” When Dr. Levitan said that a typical daily dose can be between 800 and 2000 IUs, it is best to determine your daily vitamin D needs by checking your levels and working with your doctor to monitor your diet, lifestyle you, and your health condition.
When should I take it?
“Many doctors recommend that you take vitamin D supplements with food to help the body absorb the vitamin,” Dr. He said. “Vitamin D is fat-soluble, but you don’t need to eat (with) fatty foods to absorb it.” For that, look for vitamin D supplements that contain fat (like MCT, fish oil, etc.). Although there is no scientific evidence that taking vitamin D at night or in the morning is more effective, some reports suggest that it is taken at night. can prevent sleep. Bottom line: Take vitamin D with food and make it a regular part of your routine – whatever time of day works best for you.
Not all forms of vitamin D are created equal. “Vitamin D should always be taken in the form of vitamin D3, which is used by the body more quickly than vitamin D2,” said Chante Wiegand, a naturopathic doctor and director of research and development. Synergy Corporation. “Vitamin K2 should always be taken with vitamin D3 to support optimal calcium absorption and bone health. While vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption in the body, vitamin K facilitates calcium absorption. into our bones.”
Is it possible to carry a lot?
When it comes to vitamin D, you may have a good thing. “Most excess vitamin D comes from taking too many supplements, not from excessive sun exposure or vitamin D-rich foods,” Dr. Yang said. “That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor to find out the right treatment to take, to prevent any side effects like kidney damage.”
Wiegand points out that it would take very high levels of vitamin D to reach unhealthy levels, but it is possible. Signs to look out for? “High levels of vitamin D in your blood (above 375 mol/L or 150 ng/mL) can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, thirst, urination and thirst, and kidney stones. ,” he explained.
Shouldn’t everyone take vitamin D?
“People with kidney disease, including kidney stones, and people with high blood calcium or phosphate levels should not take vitamin D,” Dr. Li testified. “Some medications including statins and the heart drug digoxin may interact with vitamin D.”
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Please consult a doctor before starting any treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have about a medical or mental health condition. Do not ignore professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of what you read in this article.
