Vitamin D May Stretch Lifespan of Turquoise Killifish, Study Reveals

Researchers from Osaka University were able to discover that vitamin D could extend the lifespan of a certain fish species.

Such findings may potentially be translated to other kinds of vertebrates, including humans.

Vitamin D For Increasing Lifespan

Researcher Dr. Tohru Ishitani said that the study was able to discover that vitamin D treatment stretched the lifespan of both sexes of the N. furzeri turquoise killifish. The study found that for males, it was extended by an average of 21%. On the other hand, for females, lifespan was extended by an average of 7%.

Findings were noted in the "Sex-dependent regulation of vertebrate somatic growth and aging by germ cells" study.

However, it was also observed that excessive vitamin D treatment did not prolong killifish lifespan. This shows that the vitamin treatment should be administered in the right amounts.

Dr. Ishitani said that though excessive vitamin D increases were found to negatively affect mouse lifespan, the vitamin has been adapted as a supplement for quite a long time. As long as the dosage amount is correct, minimal adverse health effects can be seen.

The lifespan of killifish is exceptionally short, measuring just weeks. This makes them quite a useful study metric for examining aging.

In order to compare their biological reactions, the researchers removed the germ cells from both male and female fish.

For females, the removal of the germ cells ended up decreasing their estrogen, shortening their lifespan, and increasing IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) signaling. However, in contrast, the removal ended up improving the health of males with higher vitamin D signaling, leading to greater longevity.

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Vitamin D

Vitamin D research specialist Dr. Michael Holick from the Vitamin D, Skin, and Bone Research Laboratory of Boston University said that when vitamin D is produced in the skin through sun exposure or when it is ingested, it enters the kidney. This is where it is activated to become the 125-dihydroxy vitamin D, which is an active vitamin D form that leads to signaling through interaction with the vitamin D receptor that then goes to the nucleus in order to unlock genetic data.

By itself, vitamin D is inactive. It requires initial activation in the liver and then the kidney.

Dr. Holick noted that the findings of the recent study were not a surprise, as vitamin D's positive effects and link with higher longevity have been quite well-documented.

He explained that in a previous worm study, it was found that the creatures had a longer life when they were treated with vitamin D. This is because the vitamin could boost the animal's protein status.

Moreover, he stressed that the latest vitamin D recommendations of the Endocrine Society note that among general populations of individuals who are at least 75 years of age, they suggest an empiric supplementation of vitamin D as it could lower mortality risk.

He also stressed that vitamin D could boost one's neurocognitive function, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes and myocardial infarction, and lower autoimmune disorder risk.

It is known that when vitamin D in the skin is made from sunlight, it may last two to three times longer in the body when it is ingested in an oral dose. However, taking daily supplements of vitamin D is not an issue.

He also noted how sunlight does not just help with vitamin D production but also with other crucial effects, noting how sensible sun exposure is recommended.