The Relationship Between Vitamin D and Telomere/Telomerase: A Comprehensive Review
J Frailty Aging. 2021;10(1):2-9. doi: 10.14283/jfa.2020.33.
M Zarei 1, M Zarezadeh, F Hamedi Kalajahi, M H Javanbakht
- Telomere 282 items in Vitamin D Life as of Dec 2020
- Telomeres for a Longer, Healthier Life - book mentions vitamin D - 2010
- Telomeres (which extend life) appear to be extended by Vitamin D - March 2015
- Telomeres in boys were 2.5% longer if 9 ng higher vitamin D – July 2018
- Telomeres improved when obese blacks took 2000 IU of vitamin D daily – Oct 2011
- 60 percent chance of longer white blood cell (leukocyte) telomere if have lots of vitamin D – May 2013
- Less likely to die early if have a good level of vitamin D - Oct 2018
Items in both categories Genetics and Mortality are listed here:
- Vitamin D appears to keep telomeres long (longer life) – Jan 2021
- Live longer if have more than 40 ng of Vitamin D (gene analysis of 10,500 people) – Jan 2019
- Telomeres in boys were 2.5% longer if 9 ng higher vitamin D – July 2018
- 5.8 X more likely to die in 15 year followup if low vitamin D and poor methylation – July 2018
- Increased mortality associated with low vitamin D genes – Nov 2014
Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
A portion of the table in the study
Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences that together with the associated sheltrin complex protect the ends of chromosomes and maintain genomic stability. Evidences from various organisms suggests that several factors influence telomere length regulation, such as telomere binding proteins, telomere capping proteins, telomerase, and DNA replication enzymes. Recent studies suggest that micronutrients, such as vitamin D, folate and vitamin B12, are involved in telomere biology and cellular aging.
In particular, vitamin D is important for a range of vital cellular processes including cellular differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. As a result of the multiple functions of vitamin D it has been speculated that vitamin D might play a role in telomere biology and genomic stability. In this study, our main goal is investigating the relationship between telomerase enzyme and vitamin D. Findings of this study suggest that higher vitamin D concentrations, which are easily modifiable through nutritional supplementation, are associated with longer LTL, which underscores the potentially beneficial effects of this hormone on aging and age-related diseases.
Vitamin D may reduce telomere shortening through anti-inflammatory and anti-cell proliferation mechanisms. Significant Low levels of telomerase activity create short telomeres, which in turn signal exit from the cell cycle resulting in cell senescence and apoptosis.
In follow-up examination, the patients who remained vitamin D deficient tended to have shorter telomeres than those patients whose 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were depleted.
Increasing 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with SLE may be beneficial in maintaining telomere length and preventing cellular aging. Moreover, anti-telomere antibody levels may be a promising biomarker of SLE status and disease activity.