Ever looked at another woman and wondered—perhaps a little enviously—“How do they manage to look so young?”
I know I have…and I’m sure I’m not the only one. It’s like these women have uncovered the fountain of youth but haven’t let the rest of us in on the secret. But while we might chalk it up to “good genes” or “clean living”, there’s actually a lot more going on beneath the surface. It turns out that telomeres, inflammation, skin health are all in on that secret.
And the surprising link between them all? Vitamin D.
Slowing Down Your Cellular Clocks
Let’s start with telomeres. These microscopic “caps” sit at the end of your chromosomes, thread-like structures that carry genetic details in your cells.
These play a BIG part in how we age because as we do, these telomeres gradually shorten, which is bad news for our health or longevity. The longer we can keep these telomeres…well, longer, the better our cellular health, well-being, and lifespan look. When they shrink and shorten…well, you get the idea. In essence, they’re like cellular clocks that mark the passing of time for our cells.
Here's where Vitamin D comes into the picture. Studies have found that higher Vitamin D levels are linked to longer telomeres. We know this because British and American researchers tracked 2,100 female twins aged between 19 and 79. They discovered that the women who had the highest Vitamin D levels also had the longest telomeres. In fact, the telomere difference between those with the highest and lowest Vitamin D was equal to five years of aging!
So, slowing down those cellular clocks (and the aging that goes with it) could be as easy as making sure your Vitamin D levels don’t dip.
Getting Your Glow On
Staying young at a cellular level is great, but looking young is even better. And a lot of that has to do with our skin…which is where Vitamin D can be a game-changer again.
Here’s how the “sunshine vitamin” helps get your glow on.
Vitamin D fights free radicals
Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage our body and skin. In fact, free radicals are one of the major villains behind skin aging. Vitamin D triggers our natural antioxidant defenses to wipe out these molecular bad guys so our skin doesn't show its age before its time.
Vitamin D protects from DNA damage
You probably know that exposure to the sun kickstarts our body’s natural production of Vitamin D. But UV rays can do a real number on our skin, so sitting in the sun becomes less appealing (more on other ways to get your Vitamin D in a minute). Not to mention this nutrient can help protect us from DNA damage caused by UV (or other environmental hazards) and even play a part to repair damaged DNA.
Vitamin D calms inflammation and inflammatory conditions
Science has found that inflammation is the big bad behind so many health problems (and I’ll talk more about that in a moment). When it comes to your skin, low Vitamin D and inflammation can leave you struggling with skin conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis. On the other hand, keeping Vitamin D levels balanced maintains your skin elasticity and hydration to keep more of those fine lines or wrinkles away.
Impeding “Inflammaging”
Ever heard of “Inflammaging”? Here’s why it’s such a buzzword: studies have discovered that chronic inflammation hits the fast-forward button on aging. Sure, there’s the higher risk of major diseases like certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s Disease that comes with inflammation. All those can put a serious dent in your lifespan and quality of life. Throw in the frailty and disability that inflammation can inflict and it’s easy to see why this isn’t something any woman wants.
Thankfully, Vitamin D has some impressive anti-inflammatory abilities. Remember how it can repair DNA damage from UV? That doesn’t just protect skin health, but your entire body by helping maintain cellular integrity and slowing the aging process.
Plus, Vitamin D can help control certain chemicals our body produces for immune function. We need these for our natural defenses, but too much can trigger chronic inflammation and speed up aging…which is where Vitamin D steps in to reduce the risk of.
Getting Your Daily Dose Of D
So you’re now clued in that to stay younger for longer, Vitamin D will be your new bestie. But what’s the best way to get your daily D?
Catch some rays: Sunlight kickstarts our natural production of Vitamin D. However, there’s two problems. #1: Getting enough sunlight in colder countries can be difficult in cooler months. #2: Risk of skin damage and cancers from repeated UV exposure.
Bon Appetit: If you love fatty fish like salmon or tuna, egg yolks, or certain mushrooms, you’re in luck! These foods come packed with Vitamin D. However, if you’re not a fan or just an occasional eater, they won’t be enough to keep your levels topped up.
Pop a bottle: One of the easiest, safest, and most effective ways to get your daily Vitamin D is simply with a supplement…so long as you use the right one.
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3 Things To Look For In The Perfect Vitamin D Supplement Vitamin D supplements aren’t hard to find, but not all are created equal. Here are the three things to look for when choosing the right supplement for you. ✅ Vitamin D3 or D2? When you can, choose D3 over D2, as Vitamin D3 raises your levels for a longer time. ✅ K1 and K2? These vitamins work with Vitamin D as a team to improve calcium absorption for stronger bones, but not all Vitamin D supplements have these “Special Ks.” ✅ Does it have any artificial junk? Avoid anything with fillers, chemicals, GMOs, and allergens as they reduce effectiveness and put stuff in your body you’d prefer wasn’t there. I like to get my daily Vitamin D from Sol Mate. It ticks all three boxes and keeps my levels healthy even when I’m trapped inside or don’t want to eat fish every day. |
Make Aging “D”-Lightful!
You don’t have to just cross your fingers and hope you can stay looking, feeling, and being younger for longer. There ARE things any woman can do to slow down Father Time, and getting enough Vitamin D is one of the big ones.
Give your body enough of this super-nutrient and you’ll have your cells buzzing with vitality, your skin glowing, and inflammation at bay. And if you don’t want to risk the sun or chow down fish every day, then take a Vitamin D supplement like Sol Mate and start slowing down your body clock!
