According to a Swiss clinical trial, omega-3 and vitamin D could slow down biological ageing

A Swiss clinical study measures the impact of omega-3 and vitamin D on biological ageing

This Swiss clinical trial, published in February 2025 in the journal Nature Aging, expands on the results of an initial study called DO-HEALTH, which involved a sample of 2157 European adults aged 70 and over, considered to be active and in good health. Here the scientists sought to assess the separate and combined effects of vitamin D supplementation (2,000 IU per day), omega-3 supplementation (1 g per day) and a simple home exercise programme (3 x 30 min per week) on biological ageing. For this second analysis, a sub-group of 777 participants was selected (1).

Subjects were randomly assigned to 8 treatment groups. Blood samples were taken at the start of the experiment, and again at 1, 2 and 3 years' follow-up, to collect DNA fractions and subject them to 4 next-generation epigenetic clocks (PhenoAge, GrimAge, GrimAge2 and DunedinPACE). In simple terms, these sophisticated algorithms predict the biological age of an individual by detecting certain specific modifications to the genome (methylations).

This initiative is therefore unique in that it measures the impact of nutritional strategies at the cellular level, and not just on overall health.

A reduction in biological age of 3 to 4 months with omega-3s

The initial study (which included 2,157 participants) had already reported that omega-3s alone reduced the rate of infections by 13% and the rate of falls by 10%. Combined with vitamin D and physical exercise, they also showed a reduction in pre-frailty (-39%) and invasive cancers (-61%) over 3 years.

This second trial confirms these preliminary results on the scale of cellular ageing. It was observed that omega-3 alone slowed down 3 of the 4 clocks tested (PhenoAge, GrimAge2 and DunedinPACE). More concretely, this translates to a reduction in biological age of between 2.9 and 3.8 months over 3 years.

It should be noted that the 3 combined treatments (omega-3 + vitamin D + physical exercise) led to even greater benefits on the PhenoAge clock. These benefits were all the more apparent in women, as well as in subjects with lower initial blood levels of omega-3 EPA and DHA.

How can the effects of omega-3 and vitamin D on longevity be explained?

Omega-3 EPA and DHA are involved in the normal functioning of the heart, as well as maintaining normal blood pressure and triglyceride levels (2-3). These fatty acids therefore play a vital role in safeguarding cardiovascular health, particularly by maintaining the elasticity of blood vessels and the fluidity of blood. Research also suggests that they could modulate the inflammatory response, which is present in the background of most metabolic pathologies (4). Consequently, the potential capacity of omega-3s to halt the course of biological ageing seems quite logical.

As for vitamin D, it has other strong arguments. First and foremost, it contributes to the proper functioning of the innate and adaptive immune system, playing a role in the differentiation of plasma cells and the activation of lymphocytes (5). This means that a deficiency increases the risk of infection and reduces the efficiency with which senescent or defective cells are eliminated (6). It also plays a part in the normal absorption of calcium, and therefore in the maintenance of normal bones, helping to reduce bone demineralisation in post-menopausal women, which is associated with the occurrence of osteoporotic fractures (7). By maintaining normal muscle function, it also reduces the risk of falls linked to postural instability and/or muscle weakness (8). By strengthening defence mechanisms and preventing loss of autonomy in the elderly, it seems reasonable to think that vitamin D may have a more or less direct effect on cell longevity.

Are supplements useful for delaying cell ageing?

In the light of this study, prolonged supplementation with omega-3 and vitamin D (in conjunction with regular physical activity) appears to be a promising strategy for slowing down biological ageing.

It is essential to point out that in this trial, the participants received EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids of marine origin. If you want similar benefits, you need to choose an omega-3 supplement that combines precisely these two forms.

• This is the case with Super Omega 3, which comes from sustainable fishing, and whose patented purification process excludes all traces of pollutants. As for vitamin D, the dosage applied in the study was 2,000 IU per day.
• Our handy Vitamin D3 2000 IU spray is based on exactly the same dosage. But for people who are already deficient, higher-dose formulations will restore adequate status more quickly.
• Discover Vitamin D3 5000 IU, packaged in an oily capsule for maximum absorption.