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How To Lengthen Telomeres?

By | May 1st, 2016 | Modified - June 23rd, 2016
How To Lengthen Telomeres?
How To Lengthen Telomeres?

You can lengthen telomeres by increasing telomerase activity. Telomeres are naturally shortened every time a cells divides, but telomerase can lengthen telomeres.

Telomeres are caps on the ends of chromosomes that keep them from fraying, protecting the integrity of the genetic information contained in the chromosome’s DNA.

Telomeres are sections of DNA that aren’t encoded with genetic information and are likened to the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces that keep them from unravelling.

If the chromosomes were to unravel the DNA would stick to other chromosomes and would corrupt their genetic information. Telomeres also play an important role in the replication of cells, which affect their longevity.

Each time a cell divides the DNA that contains the cells genetic information is completely duplicated, but the process doesn’t completely replicate the telomeres. Each time a cell divides small sections of the end of the telomeres are lost making the telomeres shorter.

This eventually leads to the deterioration of the cell, cell death, or the transformation of the cell into a cancer cell.[1] To extend life and the quality of life you would need to lengthen telomeres and reduce the rate at which they shorten.

How Telomerase Lengthen Telomeres

Telomeres are specific repeating DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that don’t contain genetic information. Telomerase are enzymes made of protein and RNA subunits that lengthen telomeres by adding back the repeating DNA sequences that are lost during the replication of cells.

Telomerase enzymes are active in tissues like germ (sperm an egg) cells, activated lymphocytes, and certain types of stem cells, but are virtually inactive in somatic cells (cells of the body.)

Though telomerase enzymes are not naturally active in somatic cells, studies[2] have shown that increasing telomerase activity can lengthen telomeres in somatic cells.

How to Increase Telomerase Activity

Dr. Dean Ornish’s studies[3,4] on telomeres, telomerase, and lifestyle clearly showed that diets low in animal saturated fat, stress management, increased activity, and a whole food plant-based diet high in carbohydrates and low in fat and protein increased telomerase activity and lengthened telomeres.

Oxidative stress stemming from the consumption of saturated animal fat and stress were implicated in decreased telomerase activity and the shortening of telomeres.

The consumption of a whole food plant-based diet and its wide range of antioxidants and density of nutrients neutralized free radical damage, increased telomerase activity, lengthened telomeres, and slowed the aging of cells.

Sources:
[1] Human Telomerase and Its Regulation
[2] Reconstitution of telomerase activity in normal human cells leads to elongation of telomeres and extended replicative life span
[3] Effect of comprehensive lifestyle changes on telomerase activity and telomere length in men with biopsy-proven low-risk prostate cancer: 5-year follow-up of a descriptive pilot study
[4] D Ornish, J Lin, J Daubenmier, G Weidner, E Epel, C Kemp, M J M Magbanua, R Marlin, L Yglecias, P R Carroll, E H Blackburn. Increased telomerase activity and comprehensive lifestyle changes: a pilot study. Lancet Oncol. 2008 Nov;9(11):1048-57.

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Alklaine Plant Based Diet
Alklaine Plant Based Diet

About Author:

Aqiyl Aniys is the author of the books Alkaline Herbal Medicine, Alkaline Plant Based Diet and the children's book, Faith and Justice eat an Alkaline Plant Based Diet." He received a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University, a BA in Organizational Behavior and Communications from NYU, worked as an elementary school teacher, and studied social work. He enjoys boxing, kick boxing, cycling, power walking, and basically anything challenging, and his alkaline plant-based diet supports all that he does. Learn more about transitioning to an alkaline vegan diet using the Dr. Sebi nutritional guide.

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