Make room, vitamin C—there’s yet another important vitamin that shares the title of potent antioxidant. Though many deal with vitamin D’s extra siloed advantages (e.g., musculoskeletal integrity, immune perform, pores and skin well being), longevity is one which should not be ignored.*
Vitamin D sufficiency (i.e., reaching and sustaining wholesome D ranges within the physique) promotes swish growing old by serving to to control antioxidant exercise, steadiness mitochondrial perform, fight oxidative stress, and in the end, defend that valuable DNA.*
A 2019 Pharmacological Research meta-analysis discovered that vitamin D supplementation helps improve whole antioxidant capability1 and serum ranges of grasp antioxidant glutathione, each of that are vastly helpful for selling oxidative steadiness (i.e., antioxidants beating out oxidants) all through the physique.* Vitamin D signaling pathways defend proteins, fatty acids, and DNA2 (extra on that later) from oxidation by combating reactive oxygen species (ROS).*
Unfortunately, our nation’s vitamin D standing drawback massively impacts whether or not or not your physique is ready to totally make the most of these antioxidant actions. Considering 41% of U.S. adults are inadequate in vitamin D33 and 29% take care of frank vitamin D deficiency, it is apparent that being intentional about getting sufficient vitamin D on the day by day performs a giant half in your physique’s antioxidant community and skill to struggle free radicals.*