Can Multivitamins Make Your Cells Younger?
The cells of multivitamin users may have a younger biological age than cells from non-users, according to a new study.
The research looked at the length of telomeres, which are repetitive DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that protect them from destruction or abnormalities that can cause cancer. Telomeres have been likened to the ends of shoelaces – without them, the lace would unravel.
Telomeres shorten as cells duplicate and age; when the telomeres shorten to the point that are totally used up, the cells are destroyed and die. Telomeres have also been shown to be highly susceptible to oxidative stress and inflammation.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Many aging-related diseases are linked to shortened telomeres, and organs deteriorate as more and more of their cells die off. Because of this, some scientists believe that telomere length might be a marker of biological aging.
In the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences looked at the use of multivitamins to see if they affect the length of telomeres, and possibly the biological age of the cells.
They found that the daily multivitamin users had telomeres an average of 5% longer than in non-users. Researchers think the results might be due to the multivitamins' effect on oxidative stress and inflammation.
After analyzing the multivitamin use, nutrient intakes, and telomere length of the 586 women (ages 35 – 74) in the study, researchers also found a positive relationship between telomere length and intakes of vitamins C and E from foods.
The lead researchers emphasized that the evidence is only preliminary and that additional studies are required. "Further investigations would be needed to understand the role of multivitamin use and telomere length and its implication in the etiology of chronic diseases."
But while this possible benefit is being further explored, the many other known benefits of taking a multivitamin make it an easy decision. Start your day with a complete nutritional supplement program like Basic Nutrient Support and take care of the temple – your body – that God has given you.
www.thepathwaytohealing.com
