Vitamin D May Help Slow Aging

Warm-up Questions: (1) Read the headline. What do you think it means? (2) Are you a healthy person? (3) Do you take any vitamins? If so, which ones, and why?

Vitamin D supplements falling out of a pill bottle.
Vitamin D supplements.

A new study shows that vitamin D might help people age more slowly. The research was published in a medical journal called The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Scientists found that vitamin D may protect telomeres. Telomeres are parts at the end of our DNA that get shorter as we get older. When they get too short, they can cause health problems like cancer.

The study used data from a larger project called the VITAL trial. In this study, over 1,000 adults (women aged 55+ and men aged 50+) were followed for five years. Some people took 2,000 units of vitamin D and 1 gram of omega-3 every day. Others took a placebo. The scientists checked their telomere length at the beginning, after two years, and after four years.

The results showed that vitamin D helped slow the shortening of telomeres. This may mean that vitamin D slows biological aging by about three years. However, omega-3 did not show any effect on telomere length.

Experts say these results are interesting, but they want more research. The study was small, and it only looked at one type of cell. Scientists still do not know how this connects to real-life health outcomes.

Vitamin D has other known health benefits. It can help keep bones strong, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. But too much vitamin D can cause health problems, like high calcium levels or kidney issues.

To get vitamin D, people can spend time in the sun, take supplements, or eat certain foods. These include fatty fish like salmon and tuna, egg yolks, and vitamin D-fortified milk. Some mushrooms and cheese also contain small amounts.

Doctors say it’s best to check your vitamin D level before taking supplements. In healthy people with normal levels, extra vitamin D might not be helpful. Good sleep, exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking are still the best ways to stay young and healthy.

Sources: healthline.com, medicalnewstoday.com

For source links, see the article on ESLNewsStories.com

CEFR Level: B1

*Prints better with the Chrome browser

Audio

Hear the article spoken:

Listen and Fill Gaps

A new study shows that vitamin D might help people age more slowly. The research was ____________ in a medical journal called The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Scientists found that vitamin D may protect telomeres. Telomeres are parts at the end of our DNA that get ____________ as we get older. When they get too short, they can cause health problems like cancer.

The study used data from a larger project called the VITAL trial. In this study, over 1,000 ____________ (women aged 55+ and men aged 50+) were followed for five years. Some people took 2,000 units of vitamin D and 1 gram of omega-3 every day. Others took a placebo. The scientists checked their telomere ____________ at the beginning, after two years, and after four years.

The results showed that vitamin D helped slow the shortening of telomeres. This may mean that vitamin D slows biological aging by about three years. However, omega-3 did not show any effect on telomere length.

Experts say these results are ____________, but they want more research. The study was small, and it only looked at one type of cell. Scientists still do not know how this connects to real-life health outcomes.

Vitamin D has other known health benefits. It can help keep bones strong, lower blood pressure, and ____________ the risk of diabetes and heart disease. But too much vitamin D can cause health problems, like high calcium levels or kidney issues.

To get vitamin D, people can spend time in the sun, take supplements, or eat certain foods. These include fatty fish like salmon and ____________, egg yolks, and vitamin D-fortified milk. Some mushrooms and cheese also contain small amounts.

Doctors say it’s best to check your vitamin D level before taking supplements. In healthy people with normal levels, extra vitamin D might not be ____________. Good sleep, exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking are still the best ways to stay young and healthy.

Comprehension

  • Vitamin D may help slow down the aging process by protecting telomeres.
    The study showed that vitamin D helped reduce the shortening of telomeres, which is linked to slower aging.
  • The study proved that omega-3 supplements are better than vitamin D for slowing aging.
    Omega-3 supplements had no effect on telomere length, but vitamin D showed benefits.
  • Doctors say everyone should take vitamin D supplements, no matter their current levels.
    Experts say healthy people with normal vitamin D levels may not need supplements.
  • Spending time in sunlight can help your body produce vitamin D.
    Sunlight helps the body make vitamin D from cholesterol in the skin.

Vocabulary

Match each vocabulary word with a definition:

      Discussion

      1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information?
      2. What are some signs that a person is getting older?
      3. Do you want to slow the aging process in your body?
      4. Do you think food or pills are a better source of nutrients?
      5. How much time do you spend in the sun each week?
      6. What are some health benefits of sunlight? What are the risks of too much sunlight?
      7. Do you think people will live longer in the future?
      8. Do you want to live to 100 years old? Why or why not?
      9. Do you check food labels for ingredients?
      10. Would you consider taking part in a medical study? Why or why not?

      Answers

      Listening:

      1. published
      2. shorter
      3. adults
      4. length
      5. interesting
      6. reduce
      7. tuna
      8. helpful

      Comprehension:

      1. True. The study showed that vitamin D helped reduce the shortening of telomeres, which is linked to slower aging.
      2. False. Omega-3 supplements had no effect on telomere length, but vitamin D showed benefits.
      3. False. Experts say healthy people with normal vitamin D levels may not need supplements.
      4. True. Sunlight helps the body make vitamin D from cholesterol in the skin.

      Vocabulary:

      1. Telomere (n): A small part at the end of a DNA strand that protects it. Telomeres get shorter as people get older.

      2. DNA (n): The material in cells that carries genetic information. It tells the body how to grow and work.

      3. Placebo (n): A pill or treatment with no real medicine, used in studies to compare results.

      4. Supplement (n): Something you take, like a pill, to add to your normal diet for extra health benefits.

      5. Biological (adj): Related to the body and living things.

      6. Calcium (n): A mineral that helps keep bones and teeth strong.

      7. Kidney (n): An organ in the body that removes waste and controls water balance.

      8. Fortified (adj): Made stronger by adding something, such as vitamins or minerals to food.

      9. Outcome (n): The result of something, especially a study or action.

      10. Diabetes (n): A health condition where the body has problems controlling blood sugar levels.

      Find more ESL News Stories at ESLNewsStories.com