Vitamin D: The Most Important Micronutrient for Longevity?

Summary

Patrick makes the case that vitamin D deficiency (affecting ~40% of the US population) is a significant, modifiable longevity risk factor. She covers the 2000+ genes regulated by vitamin D, the VITAL trial data, and why the RDA of 600 IU is almost certainly too low for optimal health.

Key Takeaways

• 1

  Vitamin D regulates over 2000 genes involved in immune function, inflammation, DNA repair, and cell differentiation

• 2

  ~40% of US adults are deficient (<20 ng/mL); optimal range for longevity is likely 40–60 ng/mL

• 3

  VITAL trial: vitamin D supplementation reduced cancer mortality by 25% in those who developed cancer

• 4

  Vitamin K2 (MK-7) is essential alongside D3 to route calcium into bones rather than arteries

• 5

  Testing 25-OH vitamin D annually is one of the most cost-effective longevity biomarkers

Molecules Discussed

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