Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1524796
Telomeres and length—what does it all mean and what can we do about it? Telomere length is an indicator of biological aging. Telomeres shorten during cell division. Many health issues are linked to shortened telomeres. ese include chronic disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and decreased immune function. In fact, research links short telomeres to almost all the chronic diseases of aging! So what can we do about it? One huge factor in telomere health is nutri- ent deficiencies. ese will absolutely compromise your telomeres. Deficiency of specific nutrients can lower enzyme repair. Your body can't repair DNA if its lacking the nutrients to do so. at means your telomeres will shorten at a faster rate. Targeted supplementation can help. Nutrients that indirectly protect telomeres are those that protect against cellular damage due to physiological stressors. ere are many nutrients that are looked at and addressed when one is really looking into improving telomere length. ese include vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols, curcumin, and omega-3 fatty acid. at said, I never recommend a one- size-fits-all solution. Instead, I suggest testing for your specific deficiencies and taking an informed approach to help correct them. Targeted nutrient repletion is one of the best ways to help protect telomeres. Chronic stress is another well-estab- lished contributor to reduced telomere length. If you experience high stress levels on the regular and don't actively practice meditation, yoga, or another activity that helps you relax, it's time to start. High-intensity interval training— think sprints rather than long runs—has also been proven to slow telomere shortening. For those who are physically able, try incorporating a HIIT workout into your weekly routine. Weight train- ing can also keep your telomeres strong. While the science of telomeres pro- vides new insights into how our bodies age, the best way to keep your telomeres youthful comes down to something you've heard a thousand times before— diet and exercise! Just remember that it's not "diet or exercise." If you're interested in learning more about telomeres and the best lifestyle, nutrient, and exercise changes for your personal situation, make an appointment with Dr. Darci Davis at wac.net/ naturopath. 22 WAC Magazine | wac.net living fit telomeres' tale What are telomeres? Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Think of them like plastic tips at the end of your shoelaces. They consist of repetitive DNA sequences and associated proteins. Their main job is to protect the ends of chromosomes from deteriorating or fusing with neighboring chromosomes. Every time a cell divides, its telomeres get a bit shorter, eventually reaching a critical length. When they become too short, the cell can no longer divide and undergoes programmed cell death. This process is part of the natural aging of cells and is implicated in aging and age-related diseases. Dialing for longevity Telomeres—the lifelines of your cells By Dr. Darci Davis, WAC Naturopath