Credit: Canva
Vitamin D is well-known for supporting strong bones, but new research suggests it may also play a surprising role in slowing down the aging process itself. A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reveals that daily vitamin D supplementation could help preserve telomeres—the protective caps at the ends of DNA strands—which naturally shorten as we age. Conducted by researchers at Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia, the reinforces anti-age studies indicating that the "sunshine vitamin" may slow biological aging at the cellular level.
The study, followed over 1,000 older adults in the US-men over 50 and women over 55. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a daily dose of vitamin D3 (2,000 IU) along with omega-3 fatty acids (1 gram). Telomere length in white blood cells was measured at the start, mid-point, and end of the study.
The results were striking. Compared to the placebo group, those taking vitamin D experienced significantly less telomere shortening—the cellular equivalent of aging three years more slowly. In contrast, omega-3 supplements did not have a significant effect on telomere length.
"Telomeres act like the plastic tips at the ends of shoelaces" explained study co-author Dr. JoAnn Manson, Professor of Women’s Health at Harvard Medical School. "They help protect our chromosomes from deterioration or fusion. As telomeres shorten with age, the risk of chronic diseases increases." This makes telomere length a powerful indicator of “biological age,” which may better reflect a person’s health status than chronological age alone.
Earlier results from the VITAL trial had already shown that vitamin D supplementation could reduce inflammation and lower the risk of advanced cancers and autoimmune diseases. Now, this new finding adds another layer of evidence in favor of vitamin D’s broader benefits for healthy aging.
“Our findings suggest that targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter the biological aging process,” said lead author Dr. Haidong Zhu, a molecular geneticist at the Medical College of Georgia. However, he emphasized that more research is needed to confirm whether these benefits apply across different populations and timeframes.
Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults. Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.
People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged 1 to 4, and all babies (unless they're having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.
The best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. However, there are many food items through which you can get this essential nutrient. These include:
It’s déjà vu Braves fans didn’t ask for. Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta’s powerhouse baseball outfielder and reigning National League MVP, has hit the injured list again, this time with tightness in his right Achilles tendon. Just months after returning from a torn ACL in his left knee, Acuña pulled up sore after sprinting the bases and later chasing a fly ball, exiting Tuesday’s game against the Royals mid-inning.
But what does Achilles tendon tightness actually mean, and why does it freak out athletes and sports doctors alike?
The Achilles tendon, also known as the calcaneal tendon, is the thick band of tissue that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. It is the biggest and strongest tendon in the human body. But it can bring even the fittest athletes to their knees.
It helps you run, jump, pivot and push off the ground, basically every move an outfielder like Acuña makes in a single play. When it is tight, inflamed or partially torn, that springy propulsion becomes painful and unstable. Cue the limping, grimacing and, in some cases, weeks on the injured list.
In Acuña’s case, the discomfort reportedly began the night before while sprinting around the bases and got worse chasing fly balls. That is a classic setup: high-intensity bursts, sudden stops, and quick direction changes, all high-risk moves for the Achilles.
If ignored, tightness can escalate to tendonitis (inflammation), partial tears, or the dreaded rupture, which is basically the tendon snapping in two. That is a season-ending injury, often requiring surgery and months of rehab.
But ignoring Achilles issues can backfire in the worst way. What starts as tightness today could be crutches tomorrow. The tendon does not heal fast, and re-injury is a very real risk if recovery is rushed.
Recovery is not just about waiting for the pain to stop; it is about rebuilding strength, restoring flexibility, and ensuring both legs are balanced and strong.
Stretch regularly, warm up before activity, avoid sudden ramp-ups in intensity, and listen to your body. And if the pain lingers or worsens, see a specialist. Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Achilles flare-up might just be tightness, but it is the kind of tightness that turns trainers serious and fans anxious. It’s also a timely reminder that this tendon is small but mighty, and when it acts up, rest is not optional. Whether you are chasing fly balls or your morning run goal, treat your heels with the caution they deserve.
A recent tragic shooting in Midtown Manhattan has pulled an obscure but alarming brain disease back into the headlines. The shooter reportedly left behind a suicide note claiming he suffered from CTE, short for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a condition linked to repeated head trauma. As shocking as the incident was, it has opened up a floodgate of questions: What exactly is CTE? Can it really make someone act out violently? And how can we even know if someone had it?
It is the sort of change that can feel like a personality transplant. Loved ones often report seeing someone “become a different person” over time.
Back to the Manhattan case. While the shooter’s note mentioned CTE, we still do not know whether he actually had it, let alone whether it influenced his behaviour. This brings up messy territory: should possible brain disease be considered in criminal responsibility? Can CTE be a mitigating factor in violent crime?
It is a grey zone. And until we develop reliable tools to diagnose CTE in the living, we are mostly left guessing.
Hepatitis is not nicknamed the “silent killer” for nothing. What makes it so dangerous is how symptomless it often is for years. It can quietly chip away at your liver without so much as a warning sign. By the time symptoms like fatigue, jaundice, or abdominal pain appear, significant harm may already have occurred. This eerie silence allows hepatitis to go undetected until it has done some serious damage.
Just Because You Cannot Hear It Does Not Mean It Is Not There
Dr Vikram Vora says that hepatitis is a major global health threat, killing over a million people each year. What is even more tragic? These deaths are, in his words, “largely preventable”. The villains in this tale, cirrhosis and liver cancer, often stem from untreated or undiagnosed hepatitis infections.
“The cornerstone of hepatitis control is prevention,” Dr Vora says. And the good news is that you have got some powerful tools at your disposal. “Vaccination, especially against Hepatitis B, is one of the most effective tools available,” he says, adding that infants, healthcare workers, and at-risk adults should be prioritised. Other prevention measures include safe injection practices, steering clear of needle-sharing, and ensuring blood transfusions are properly screened.
But danger often hides in plain sight. Dr Vora warns that something as seemingly harmless as getting a tattoo or piercing can carry lifelong consequences if done in an unregulated facility. His advice? “Choosing safe, licensed establishments is non-negotiable.”
If there is one thing hepatitis is good at, it is staying undetected. That is why Dr Vora champions regular screening, especially if you have had medical procedures, blood transfusions, or close contact with someone infected. “Early diagnosis is a game-changer,” he says. Caught in time, hepatitis can be treated effectively, helping patients avoid severe liver disease or even make a full recovery.
Dr Vora offers hope to those living with hepatitis. “With proper medical care and lifestyle adjustments, a healthy life is achievable,” he insists. That means ditching alcohol, sticking to a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and closely following medical advice. He also points out the mental and emotional toll a diagnosis can take. “Support from family, community, and healthcare providers can make a significant difference in outcomes.”
Perhaps just as damaging as the virus itself is the social stigma surrounding it. Dr Vora identifies this as a major hurdle in tackling hepatitis. “Fear of social exclusion keeps many from seeking help,” he explains. And that delay can cost lives. According to him, building a culture of empathy and understanding is critical. He encourages public health campaigns, education, and open dialogue as essential tools to dismantle this stigma.
In Dr Vora’s words, “Hepatitis may be silent, but it is not invincible.” Every little step, whether it is getting vaccinated, getting screened, or just talking about it, can chip away at the power hepatitis holds. Silence has cost too many lives already. Awareness can save them.
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited