Co-Administration of Creatine and Vitamin D and Telomere Length in Older Men: An Exploratory Pilot Trial

Telomeres shorten with age, partly due to oxidative stress and inflammation, and this process is linked to higher risk of chronic disease. Creatine supports cellular energy production and may reduce metabolic stress, while vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Together, they may help protect telomeres and support healthy aging. This exploratory, open-label pilot study examined the effects of daily creatine monohydrate (2.5 g) plus vitamin D3 (2000 IU) over 12 months in 30 healthy men aged 65 years and older. Telomere length in blood cells was assessed at the end of the study and compared with an age-matched reference group. Adherence to supplementation was high (81%), and no side effects were reported. After 12 months, participants receiving creatine and vitamin D had significantly longer telomeres than controls (0.90 ± 0.21 vs. 0.81 ± 0.17), corresponding to an approximately 11% difference (P = 0.004). These preliminary findings suggest that combined creatine and vitamin D supplementation may help preserve telomere length in older adults. This simple and well-tolerated strategy warrants further investigation in larger randomized controlled trials to confirm its potential role in promoting healthy aging.

Keywords : Telomeres; Aging; Creatine; Vitamin D; Bioenergetics; Supplementation;