Benefits of the sunshine

Vitamin D may help slow the ageing process, suggests a study at King's College London. Among 2,160 women aged 18 to 79, those with high levels of vitamin D had longer telomeres, which are part of our DNA. As we get older, our telomeres get shorter and are more prone to age-associated illnesses, so longer ones indicate a biologically younger body. Lead researcher Dr Brent Richards said, 'This may explain the protective effect of vitamin D on age-related diseases such as cancer.'

A vital source of vitamin D is sunshine, but avoid sun damage. Lower levels are found in eggs and oily fish.