Slow ageing

Vigilant and tireless medical spelunking carried out by dedicated lab coat-clad forefront pushers has shed new light on how to slow ageing. The main conclusion is that a combination of vitamin D supplements, omega-3 pills and exercise is the best way to brake the biological ageing process.

Omega-3 (good) fats, found in seeds, nuts and some species of fish, have long been known to benefit our heart health, immunity and brain function. Vitamin D also helps our immunity, while keeping our muscles and brain cells in tiptop condition. The benefits of exercise are manifold and amply known to all of us. The gains from taking omega-3 appear to be enhanced by the simultaneous ingestion of vitamin D.

Some 800 70- to 90-year olds were told to take varying combinations of omega-3 and vitamin D, with or without regular exercise sessions. After three years, those who had taken only omega-3 had aged (measured using epigenetic clocks) some three months less than those given a placebo. Participants who had also taken vitamin D and exercised had biologically aged even less.

As the human body is unable to produce omega-3s, these fats are referred to as “essential fats”, meaning that you have to get them from your diet. The term “Omega-3” comes from organic chemistry nomenclature and refers to the position of the final double bond in the chemical structure, which is three carbon atoms from the “omega”, or tail end of the molecular chain. In the right vehicle they can be pretty tasty too!