Should We Take Vitamins?
An article appearing in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2006; 103(47): 17589–94) discussed the importance of vitamin supplementation in preventing DNA damage, cellular aging, degenerative disease, and even cancer. The authors argued that supplementation is often necessary because many people consume diets dominated by nutrient-deficient, processed foods.
The body can survive periods of nutrient deficiency by prioritizing nutrients for essential cellular functions. Over time, however, this adaptive process may come at a cost. Long-term deficiencies may contribute to cellular damage and help set the stage for degenerative diseases that appear later in life. The article cited evidence linking chronic nutrient inadequacy to conditions such as cancer and other age-related diseases.
Additional research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (November 2007), examined vitamin D status and aging. Researchers compared telomere length with vitamin D levels in 2,160 women between the ages of 18 and 79. Telomeres are structures at the ends of chromosomes that shorten as cells divide; shorter telomeres are associated with aging. Higher vitamin D levels were associated with longer telomeres, suggesting a potential link between vitamin D status and slower cellular aging.
Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with changes in mood and cognition in older adults. Research published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (2006; 14(12): 1032–1040) compared 40 individuals with mild Alzheimer’s disease to 40 age-matched controls without dementia. Lower serum vitamin D levels were associated with poorer cognitive performance (as measured by the Short Blessed Test) and worse mood.
Vitamin E status has also been linked to physical decline. Research appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (January 23, 2008; Volume 299, Issue 3: 308–315) evaluated nutrient levels in 698 older adults living in Tuscany, with an average age of 73.7 years. Participants underwent baseline testing and were followed for three years. Physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery, which includes objective measures of balance, walking speed, and lower-extremity strength.
The researchers identified two factors associated with physical decline: low vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) levels, particularly in adults aged 70–80, and advanced age (over 81 years).
