Telomeres are regions of DNA at the ends of chromosomes that do not code for any trait. Telomeres are needed to protect the bulk of the DNA from damage during cell division. Before the cell divides, a special DNA enzyme, polymerase, moves along the DNA strand and synthesizes a copy. But the polymerase is not able to start working from the very tip of the chromosome, so it starts doubling it by moving slightly away from the edge. As a result, the chromosome shrinks slightly after each division. To ensure that the coding regions are not affected by this reduction, telomeres are located at the ends of the chromosomes. But gradually, after new and new cycles of division, telomeres will shrink more and more – this is the aging of the cell.

Telomere shortening is associated with aging and age-related diseases, but when studying these processes, telomeres are usually measured in cells that are easy to obtain from the patient, most commonly blood cells. Until now it has remained unclear to what extent telomeres in blood cells can reflect the pattern in other body tissues.

To investigate this question, the authors of the work used the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project, which collects tissue samples from a large number of people. In total, they analyzed more than 6,000 samples of 23 different tissues from about a thousand people. They found that of these 23 tissues, 15 showed a clear positive correlation with telomere length in whole blood cells, confirming the use of blood cells as an indicator of telomere length in hard-to-reach tissues such as brain and kidney tissue.

Along the way, the scientists tested several previous theories about telomere length in various individual cases. Some have been confirmed, such as longer telomeres in people of African descent. Others were not, such as the assumption of longer telomeres in women. The report of shorter telomeres in smokers was only partially confirmed; this is indeed observed, but only in certain tissue types. These results will help to understand the extent to which telomere length is genetically determined, and how it can be affected by lifestyle, environmental exposure, or epigenetic changes over the course of a person’s life.

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This enzyme can compensate for telomere wear and tear. In humans, however, telomerase is active only during the embryonic stage of development. In adults, however, this enzyme is restricted to stem and germ cells, as well as some blood cells.

Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes, where our genetic heritage is recorded. This DNA code is used, among other things, to transmit information to cells so that they produce certain proteins ( hormones, enzymes, etc.) to ensure their proper functioning.

According to Dr. Blackburn’s theory, the ends of the DNA can lengthen and thus inhibit the aging of the body.

Researchers have found that telomere length is related to each individual’s potential lifespan and helps determine the age of the cell. By the age of 80, telomere length is halved from birth.

Telomere shortening and telomerase activity, for example, are associated with the development of cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as a decrease in immunity.

It is believed that a person’s biological age can be determined by the length of their telomeres. Several laboratories around the world even offer such a service for a few hundred euros.

However, more recent research has refuted the idea that telomere length is a biological clock, indicating life expectancy. However, their shortening does correlate with the rate of aging and our susceptibility to infections. Especially when it comes to very short telomeres, which can be linked to the risk of degenerative diseases and cancer.

The length of the “protective caps” on our DNA can tell us about the level of oxidative (oxidative) stress, which can be corrected.

In addition, a person’s lifestyle can tell us about the condition of telomeres. At least that’s what studies from 2011 and 2012 suggest.

Telomeres are shortened due to the following factors:

• Unhealthy diet (excess sugar and omega-6 in the diet, eating processed foods);
• Overeating and being overweight;
• Environmental pollution (chemical, electromagnetic, sound);
• poor emotional and social relationships with others;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• lack of sleep;
• constant stress;
• chronic pain;
• smoking;
• insulin resistance;
• chronic inflammation;
• Vitamin D deficiency.

All of these have a devastating effect on telomeres, regardless of a person’s age.

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Scientific studies conducted on humans over several years have shown that telomere length can be strongly influenced by lifestyle.

For example, scientists have observed that the group that leads a healthier lifestyle has a 10% longer telomere length than those who have not given up bad habits.

How can telomeres be maintained or lengthened?

Avoid chronic stress. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent telomere shortening. One study showed that women who experience significant stress have telomeres so shortened that they correspond to being 10 years older.

Follow a diet rich in omega-3 and vitamins A, C, E, B6, B9, B12. Antioxidant protection plays a decisive role here. The main thing is to avoid both deficiency and excess of these substances.

Exercise regularly. According to a study published in Sciences Advances, exercise activates telomerase in white blood cells and lengthens telomeres. And their length can change as early as two hours after exercise. So, physical activity is a great way to slow down aging.

Meditation with concentration on the feeling of love can also increase telomere longevity. Researchers from the Universities of Davis and San Francisco, California, found that regular meditation causes positive mood changes associated with increased telomerase activity.

We now have scientific confirmation of what already seemed obvious. However, we are sure that the research will not stop there, and there will be interesting discoveries in the future.

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