New Vitamin D Study on Telomeres and Aging
Brad Stanfield
11 oct 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Prioritize sun exposure over supplements for safe vitamin D levels
The body can regulate vitamin D production from sun exposure, but it cannot control intake from supplements, making high doses potentially harmful.
Prioritize proven metrics for long-term health
Traditional metrics like BMI, LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure are what truly move the needle for long-term health, not exciting but unproven markers like telomere length.
Question validity of vitamin D study findings on telomere length
The observed 140 base pair difference in telomere length from vitamin D supplementation is within the range of measurement error for the QPCR method used in the study.
Reevaluate vitamin D's impact on heart health and mortality
Despite modest telomere changes, the main VITAL study found no significant reductions in heart attacks, strokes, or all-cause mortality for the vitamin D group.
Avoid high doses of vitamin D to protect bone health
A clinical trial found that high doses of vitamin D, specifically 4,000 and 10,000 IU, actually decreased bone mineral density rather than improving it.
Avoid routine vitamin D tests for general population
The latest Endocrine Society guidelines no longer recommend routine vitamin D blood tests for the general population because the optimal blood level is unknown.
Adjust vitamin D intake to 600 IU for younger adults and 800 IU for seniors
The latest Endocrine Society guidelines suggest a modest 600 IU of vitamin D for younger adults, increasing to 800 IU for those over 70.
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