Ageing is a natural phenomenon that every living being must experience. It is inevitable. As seconds, minutes, hours, days and months go by, we age. Regrettably, many cringe at the idea of ageing -which has made avenue for innovations like Botox and dermal fillers, hormone replacement therapy and the rest to slow down the process of ageing. While these treatments provide temporary cosmetic benefits, they do not slow biological aging at the cellular level. Also, they coexist with downsides including bruising, swelling, and, in rare cases, as muscle weakness or allergic reactions.
However, researchers didn’t stop searching for better and safer procedures to slow down ageing, as a recent study published in Nature Ageing has indicated that vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and regular physical activity could slow the biological ageing process in older adults. The study, conducted as part of the DO-HEALTH project led by Professor Heike Bischoff-Ferrari of the University of Zurich, builds on earlier research suggesting that these interventions may also reduce the risk of infections, falls, cancer, and frailty.
According to the lead author, previous findings from the study inspired researchers to investigate whether these therapies have a direct impact on the ageing process at the biological level.
To assess the effects of the newly found procedures, the research team employed epigenetic clocks, a method that tracks chemical modifications in DNA to measure biological age. The study involved 777 adults aged 70 and above, with participants randomly assigned to receive vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, strength training, or a combination of the three techniques.
Findings from the study revealed that omega-3 supplementation slowed biological ageing by up to four months, based on the epigenetic markers. The combination of omega-3, vitamin D, and strength training showed even stronger effects, aligning with earlier findings from DO-HEALTH that linked these interventions to a lower risk of cancer and frailty.
Bischoff-Ferrari noted that each of these measures appears to work through different mechanisms, and their combined effect enhances their overall impact on ageing.
Notwithstanding the results, the researchers acknowledged limitations in their study.Bischoff-Ferrari explained that there is no universally accepted gold standard for measuring biological age, although the study utilized the most validated epigenetic clocks currently available.
Moreover, the study participants were exclusively from Switzerland, which may limit the applicability of the findings to a more diverse global population. “Our findings are limited to the origins of Switzerland, however in the nearest future we plan to expand our analysis to include to address this, the researchers plan to expand their analysis to include participants from Germany, France, Austria, and Portugal.”
“The study provides further evidence that lifestyle changes including dietary supplements and exercise, play a key role in longevity among older adults.” He concluded.
