Looking to turn back the clock on aging?

A recent study published in Nature Aging reveals that combining two widely-used supplements with regular physical activity creates a potent anti-aging strategy.

What’s even more promising is that this healthy trio not only aims to prolong life but also boosts its quality by decreasing the likelihood of age-related health problems and enhancing the overall wellness of older individuals.

Each person possesses two ages: chronological and biological.

Chronological age denotes the total years you have lived, whereas biological age reflects the effects of time on your body’s molecular state.

This distinction implies that individuals born on the same day can exhibit significantly different biological ages over time, influenced by lifestyle, health, and genetics. When enthusiasts in the fields of biohacking and longevity discuss reversing aging, they are referencing biological age.

The research team examined data from the DO-HEALTH trial, which followed older adults from five European nations between 2012 and 2014.

Prior research has already established that omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and physical activity can mitigate the risks of infections, falls, cancer, and frailty.

“These findings motivated us to evaluate the direct effects of these three interventions on biological aging among Swiss DO-HEALTH participants,” stated Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, the principal researcher and professor at the University of Zurich, in a recent announcement.

To conduct this analysis, the research team reviewed data from 777 participants aged 70 and older. The individuals were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo, omega-3, vitamin D, and exercise separately, or a combination of all three.

While there’s no definitive method to ascertain biological age, the researchers collected blood samples at the study’s outset and analyzed them again three years later. The samples were evaluated using four different epigenetic clocks, which measure biological age by changes in DNA methylation.

The findings revealed that omega-3s alone appeared to decelerate biological aging across three of the four epigenetic clocks, irrespective of participants’ gender, chronological age, or body mass index.

However, the most substantial benefits were observed with the combination of all three interventions.

One of the epigenetic clocks, named PhenoAge, indicated that older adults consuming 1 gram of omega-3s and 2,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily, alongside exercising regularly, experienced a reduction in biological aging by three to four months over a three-year span.

Additionally, the researchers discovered that this combination decreased the risk of premature frailty among participants by 39% and reduced the risk of invasive cancer by 61%.

“This underscores the viability of these three public health measures as a collective strategy for enhancing health span among older adults,” stated Dr. Steve Horvath, another lead investigator of the study, in an interview with Medical News Today.

“Moreover, these methods are affordable and safe, as demonstrated by the DO-HEALTH trial over a three-year period.”

While researchers emphasize the need for further studies to establish that decelerating molecular aging translates into a longer lifespan, they acknowledged certain limitations of their investigation, including the absence of a standardized method for assessing biological aging and the fact that DNA methylation measures only a fraction of the biological transformations associated with aging.

Furthermore, the study exclusively included Swiss participants. Plans are underway to broaden the analysis to encompass DO-HEALTH participants from Germany, France, Austria, and Portugal, to create a more comprehensive understanding inclusive of diverse genetics and lifestyles.

What makes these supplements effective in slowing aging?

Omega-3 fatty acids are vital nutrients that your body cannot create, necessitating their acquisition through diet. They are primarily found in fish and flaxseed, but are also available as supplements.

These fatty acids play a critical role in forming cell membranes, thereby bolstering cell structure and facilitating communication between cells. They also offer sources of energy and contribute to various bodily systems, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic.

For instance, numerous studies indicate that omega-3s can lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, blood clots, and even sudden cardiac death due to irregular heart rhythms.

Moreover, the advantages of omega-3s extend beyond cardiovascular health. They may also reduce the likelihood of certain cancers, cognitive decline, and age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, some studies suggest that omega-3 supplements may help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Regarding vitamin D, it plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphate levels, which are essential for maintaining strong bones, teeth, and muscles.

Your body generates vitamin D through sun exposure, but it is also available through certain foods and supplements.

Additionally, vitamin D possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties, contributing to immune function and brain activity. Research suggests it may reduce the risk of several diseases, including multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and some cancer types, as noted by Healthline.