Researchers Link Low Vitamin D Levels To Longevity, Its Findings Contradict Earlier Studies

For a while, doctors have the touted the benefits of the ‘sunshine vitamin’, while also inferring that sun exposure is good for health. However, a recent study’s findings have proved just the opposite by linking low levels of Vitamin D to long life.

In concluding the findings of this study, which was conducted by Dr. Diana van Heemst and her team at the University of Leiden, they wrote, “We found that familial longevity was associated with lower levels of vitamin D and a lower frequency of allelic variation in the CYP2R1 gene, which was associated with higher levels of vitamin D. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms that explain the lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels in familial longevity and other genetic variants associated with vitamin D metabolism, such as the vitamin D receptor.”

What these conclusions also have done is contradict the findings of past studies where it was surmised that sun exposure is required for optimal health and longevity of life.

Called the Leiden Longevity Study, the data compiled from 380 white families had siblings over the age of 90, and which also accounted for the siblings’ offspring and their partners as well.

Factors that affected Vitamin D levels such as sex, age, body mass index, supplement use and kidney function were monitored and controlled by researchers. Also, the genetic influence of 3 variations in 3 genes and that are associated with Vitamin D were also observed.

While they weren’t able to explain fully the link between low levels of Vitamin D and longevity, they have attributed this to the presence of a protein that is believed to display the property of an ‘aging suppressor’.