We’ve long been on the hunt for ways to slow down aging. But who would’ve guessed that one major key may have been inside us all along? Enter: vitamin D. Most of us know that vitamin D has an array of health benefits—improving bone health, muscle function, and more. While more research is needed, some studies suggest that slower aging may belong on that list.
The recent research
Some scientists distinguish between chronological age—the number of candles on your birthday cake—and biological age, which refers to how much your cells seem to have aged. Your biological age may be different from your chronological age.
If you have a higher biological age, you’re more likely to get age-related diseases such as cancer and heart disease. On the bright side, you can influence your biological age with diet and lifestyle changes. A 2022 study found that taking vitamin D supplements helped slow down biological aging among participants with vitamin D deficiency.