Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, who discovered telomerase, won world fame and a Nobel Prize. She compared telomeres to the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces that keep them from unraveling.
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.