NEW YORK, Feb 13: A recent study has found that fish oil supplements, also known as omega-3, may slow biological aging. Researchers also discovered that combining fish oil with vitamin D supplements and regular exercise had an even more significant impact on slowing down the aging process.

“Biological aging is the normal changes which happen as our body adapts to all the exposure of time,” said Dr. Kenneth Koncilja, a geriatrician at Cleveland Clinic, in an interview with Verywell. However, he emphasized that biological age is not the same as chronological age, which refers to the number of years a person has lived. “Biological age is a measure of overall health and wellness,” Koncilja explained.

Two individuals of the same chronological age may have different biological ages. As biological age increases, the body may become less efficient and functional. “There are changes to the biology of cells in our body, and that is from external damage, inherent genetic changes, dysfunction in organelles, and changes in the environment,” Koncilja said.

The study, published in Nature Aging, tracked 777 people over the age of 70 and measured their biological age using epigenetic clocks. These clocks assess how old a person appears at the cellular level. Participants were divided into different groups, each trying various interventions, including a daily vitamin D supplement (2,000 IU), a daily omega-3 supplement (one gram), and 30 minutes of strength training three times a week.

After three years, the biological ages of those who took omega-3 supplements increased by only two years and eight months. This suggested that omega-3 supplements may slow down the aging process. Furthermore, the study showed that strength training combined with vitamin D supplements and omega-3 had an even greater effect on biological aging. These three interventions were also linked to a reduced risk of infections, falls, premature frailty, and cancer.

According to Dr. Marie van der Merwe, PhD, a coordinator of the applied physiology and nutrition doctoral program at the University of Memphis, omega-3 supplements may slow biological aging due to their ability to combat inflammation. “Inflammation actually makes you age faster,” van der Merwe explained. “By reducing inflammation, you’re kind of improving cellular health.”

However, the study authors noted that more research is needed, as the technology used to measure biological aging may not capture the full complexity of the aging process. “We still need to study this further,” the authors stated.

When it comes to supplements, more is not necessarily better. If you have already been taking omega-3 and vitamin D, Dr. van der Merwe advises against increasing the dosages based on the results of this study. “If you haven’t been taking these supplements, it’s important to first discuss them with your primary care doctor,” Koncilja recommended. He also pointed out that exercise is beneficial for everyone. “I do think this also supports the benefits of aggressive, progressive daily exercise for all age groups,” Koncilja added.