Researchers pinpoint supplement that could slow down the rate of ageing – and exactly how much of it you need to take

We all wish we could turn back the years.

Now, it turns out you can – for your biological age, at least – by simply taking a tablet every day.

While chronological age represents the number of years we have lived, biological age indicates how old a person’s cells are.

This measure is a more accurate indicator of a person’s health and potential longevity, and is based on changes in DNA, proteins and other biomarkers that are picked up by tools called epigenetic clocks.

Researchers from the University of Zurich recruited 777 participants aged 70 and above who were split into different treatment groups.

Some took a vitamin D tablet per day, some took a 1g tablet of omega-3 per day, some participated in a 30-minute home exercise program three times a week, and some did a combination over the course of three years.

Analysis of blood samples revealed that during this time, omega-3 consumption ‘turned back the clock’ on biological age by up to four months.

Combining omega-3, a vitamin D supplement and exercise was found to have a slightly stronger effect.

Researchers from the University of Zurich found omega-3 reduced falls by 11 per cent and infections by 13 per cent.

 The researchers also found that these three interventions together had the biggest impact on lowering cancer risk and preventing frailty.

Professor Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, one of the study’s authors, said: ‘One of the most critical questions in the field of rejuvenation is whether a treatment exists that can effectively rejuvenate humans.

‘Given the well-documented health benefits of omega-3, we explored whether it also influences the most reliable molecular markers of biological age – epigenetic clocks.

‘Slowing biological ageing even to a small extent of three to four months across three years – as we saw in our study – is a good thing as, if sustained, it may have relevant effects on population health.

‘In the same trial omega-3 reduced falls by 11 per cent and infections by 13 per cent, and in combination with vitamin D and exercise it reduced cancer risk by 61 per cent and frailty by 39 per cent.’

As the trial only involved participants taking omega-3 in the form of a tablet, the team were unable to say if they would have the same results if people got their omega-3 from foods such as nuts and oily fish.

Analysis of blood samples revealed omega-3 consumption ‘turned back the clock’ on biological age by up to four months. 

 Steve Horvath, inventor of the epigenetic clock and principal investigator at Altos Labs in Cambridge, said: ‘This study is significant for several reasons.

‘It is the largest randomized clinical trial to explore whether interventions can influence epigenetic markers of biological age, making it a prototype for future aging research.

‘Notably, it focused on relatively healthy older adults, highlighting the future of healthspan extension studies. In my view, 70 is the new 50.

‘Omega-3, vitamin D, and a simple home exercise program showed only modest effects on methylation-based biomarkers. Clearly, these interventions are not a cure for aging.

‘However, the statistically significant results reinforce my personal commitment to taking a low-dose omega-3, vitamin D, and exercising regularly. Everything should be done in moderation.’