Can ageing be slowed?
It’s not the fountain of youth but some scientists think it could be the next best thing.
Researchers have found some promising ways to slow down the ageing process – something many of us find appealing.
There are already some well-documented strategies, including reducing calorie intake, which can slow down ageing in humans. In animal research, taking vitamin D or omega 3 has also shown promising results. Until now, however, it has been unclear whether these measures also work in humans.
Animal research has shown taking vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids, along with regular physical activity, can reduce the risk of conditions linked to ageing, such as infections and falls, cancer, and premature frailty.
Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, Professor of Geriatrics and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Zurich, and a team from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom have been testing these measures on humans.
One scientific approach to making biological ageing measurable is the use of “epigenetic clocks”. They record chemical modifications of the DNA molecule, known as methylation, and quantify the difference between biological and chronological ageing.
The Zurich study sought, for the first time, to investigate how sensitively this molecular biological measurement method reacts to targeted treatment.
The research team studied the effect of omega 3 and/or vitamin D and/or simple strength training on biological ageing in 777 people over 70.
During the three-year study, eight different treatment combinations were tested: the subjects took 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D and/or 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids (from algae) daily and/or completed 30 minutes of strength training at home three times a week.
The researchers found that taking omega-3 fatty acids slowed biological ageing by up to four months across several epigenetic clocks, regardless of the participants’ gender, age, or body mass index.
The combination of omega 3, vitamin D, and exercise proved to be even more effective, as shown by one of the four epigenetic clocks used.
However, the research team cautions against limitations of the study. These include:
- There is no generally accepted gold standard for measuring biological age
- The sample consists exclusively of Swiss participants and therefore does not represent the global population of older adults aged 70 and over.
In a next step, they plan to expand their analyses to include people from Germany, France, Austria, and Portugal, to account for a greater diversity of genetics and lifestyle.
Some food sources of omega-3 include seaweed, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and fatty fish. Fish high in omega-3 include mackerel, salmon, and sardines. Omega-3s are a type of essential fatty acid, meaning people must obtain them from their diet.
More information about the benefits of good dietary fats is available here.
Related reading: University of Zurich, Science Daily
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional about any health concerns or before making any changes to your medication, diet, or exercise routine.
