华人学者临床研究发现，补充维生素D，能够保护端粒，或有助于延缓衰老

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the findings of a large-scale clinical trial (VITAL) that indicates Vitamin D supplementation may help protect and maintain telomere length, potentially delaying biological aging [3][5]. Group 1: Study Overview - The VITAL trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that investigated the effects of Vitamin D3 (2000 IU daily) and omega-3 fatty acids (1 gram daily) on telomere length over five years [5]. - The study tracked 25,871 participants aged 55 and older (women) and 50 and older (men) [5]. Group 2: Key Findings - Participants taking Vitamin D3 showed a significant reduction in telomere shortening, with an annual decrease of 0.035 kb, totaling a reduction of 0.14 kb over four years, which is equivalent to delaying aging by nearly three years [5]. - Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation did not have a significant impact on telomere length during the follow-up period [5]. Group 3: Mechanism and Implications - Vitamin D is believed to enhance the production of telomerase, an enzyme that helps maintain telomere length, and reduce oxidative stress, which can damage DNA and shorten telomeres [5]. - The lead researcher, Dr. Zhu Haidong, suggests that targeted Vitamin D supplementation could be a promising strategy for delaying biological aging, warranting further investigation [5].