Every few months, a new headline promises the secret to slowing aging. One recent claim has attracted widespread attention by suggesting that a common daily vitamin may actually help slow the biological aging process.
While the findings are encouraging, they don’t mean there’s a miracle pill for staying young. Here’s what researchers discovered, what it means for your health, and why experts say the results should be interpreted with caution.
What Is Biological Aging?
When we think about aging, we usually think about the number of birthdays we’ve celebrated. Scientists, however, also study biological aging, which refers to how quickly our cells and tissues age over time.
Biological age may be influenced by:
- Genetics
- Diet
- Physical activity
- Sleep
- Smoking
- Stress
- Chronic illness
- Environmental factors
Some people may be biologically younger—or older—than their actual age.
The Vitamin Researchers Studied
The vitamin at the center of the research is vitamin D.
