Age is not only about how many years a person has lived. The body also ages internally, a process known as biological aging, writes Elle.
It is measured, among other things, through changes in the body’s DNA. DNA methylation plays an important role here, as it affects how genes function over time.
Researchers use epigenetic clocks to track this development. These indicate how quickly the body is aging at the cellular level and can also provide an indication of disease risk.
Study of older participants
A large study, COSMOS, published in Nature Medicine, examined nearly 1,000 older individuals over two years.
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Participants were around 70 years old on average. They were divided into two groups, with one receiving a daily multivitamin treatment and the other receiving a placebo.
Blood samples were analyzed to measure five different indicators of biological aging.
The results showed differences between the groups, particularly in markers associated with health and longevity.
A possible explanation
The effect was most evident in individuals who were already aging faster biologically.
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Overall, the difference corresponded to a slowing of aging by a few months over the study period.
Researchers also point out that a combination of essential nutrients may play a role in the body’s development. However, it is still unclear exactly why.
The findings suggest that a daily intake of multivitamins may help slow biological aging, but it cannot replace a healthy diet and exercise.
Sources: Elle and Nature Medicine.
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