Search results for telomeres

“Telomeres serve as protective buffers against DNA loss during DNA replication and DNA damage caused by inflammation, reactive oxygen species, and other chemical compounds. Telomere shortening is linked to biological aging because it promotes cell death, or, worse, it promotes alternative lengthening of telomeres – a harbinger of cancer.”

“Each additional adverse event during childhood was associated with an 11% increased chance of shorter telomeres past age 50. Telomere length is a biomarker of healthy aging with shorter telomeres indicating accelerated aging. Lifestyle factors that have been shown to delay telomere shortening including physical exercise, vitamin D sufficiency, omega-3 fatty acid sufficiency, and meditation.”

“Children who do not get adequate sleep have 1.5% shorter telomeres for each hour less that they sleep per night. Telomeres are caps at the end of chromosomes that protect DNA from damage but they get shorter every year and thus are a biomarker for aging.”

“Many other observational studies have found associations between physical activity and telomere length but this study was able to establish causation. The enzyme that is able to rebuild and lengthen telomeres, called telomerase remained unchanged and so it remains unclear how physical activity was able to increase telomere length in these individuals.”

“Telomeres are tiny caps on the end of our chromosomes that protect DNA from damage. Telomeres get shorter each year until they reach a critical length which causes the cell to either die or become senescent (metabolically inactive). When this occurs in stem cells, it leads to tissue aging.”

“However, a strength of this study is that the telomere shortening was more aggressive with increasing concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the air. Demonstrating that an effect occurs in a dose-dependent manner strengthens any correlation.”

“The researchers measured each person's telomere length at the start of the study, then again two and four years later. On average, telomeres shrank noticeably in the placebo group, but remained much more stable in the group taking vitamin D3.”

“Telomere length in early life can be predictive of lifespan. Higher maternal oxidative stress and inflammation status due to increased obesity might generate a higher inflammatory and oxidative stress causing metabolic alterations that may act as mechanisms in fetal programming influencing telomere biology during development in the uterus.”

“Children from families that had history of domestic violence, suicide, or incarcerated family member had significant acceleration of telomere shortening for their age.”

“The authors of the study assessed the participants' cognitive function and measured key biomarkers, including telomere length and markers of oxidative stress. Participants who took vitamin D performed significantly better on tests of cognitive function.”