Originally published September 29 2012
Help reverse aging with telomere support
by Derrell Jones
(NaturalNews) Let's face it. We live in a time where life expectancy has increased but the quality of our lives has not necessarily done the same. Modern medicine can cut away disease and manage symptoms to an extent but falls short in assisting us with overall health maintenance. Increasingly, people are accepting and acting on the fact that we need to support our health with excellent nutrition if we are to truly take advantage of our extended years. One definite way to increase quality of life is through telomere support.
What are telomeres and what do they do?
Simply put, telomeres are structures located on the ends of our chromosomes. They serve as "time keepers" regulating chromosome division and protecting our DNA. When we are younger, our telomeres are longer and chromosomes divide readily to facilitate and sustain proper health and exuberance. As we get older, telomeres get shorter which causes a decrease in chromosome divisions. It is thought that as our body's cells continue to decrease in divisions, aging accelerates and degenerative diseases begin to take a firm hold on our health albeit in a negative, downward spiraling way. Modern medicine can help us "hang on" once chronic illnesses have a firm grasp but the quality of life no doubt suffers.
Telomeres are also amazing at facilitating stem cell renewal and regeneration. Stem cells serve as the body's chief repair mechanism keeping us vibrant, energetic and healthy. Stem cell research has been a major part of recent medical inquiries and breakthroughs as it relates to rejuvenating and healing the body. Again, as we age and as we are exposed to more oxidative stress, stem cell renewal and replication decreases, causing a decrease in the body's ability to repair damaged or diseased tissue. And just as shorter telomeres mean fewer chromosome divisions, so too will shorter telomeres cause fewer stem cell replications. Nutrient deficiencies plus oxidative stress leads to a downward, cascading effect on our ability to "heal thyself" through our body's amazing inner mechanisms.
The research:
Researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School conducted extensive research on the effect of boosting telomere support in mice. The researchers noted, with astonishment, that the mice appeared to have reverted to a younger stage in life, where their once failing organs were revitalized, brain size returned to normal and graying fur was returned to its original color. In addition, their telomere strength had been enhanced and the mice behaved as if they were young again. The process of aging is being redefined as what it truly is; a natural process as opposed to an inevitable disease. Now is the time to support ourselves through this natural process without the "disease" of aging weighing down our collective psyche.
How to support telomere health?
Telomere support is beginning to come into prominence in many parts of the world. There are doctors who offer their patients telomere-boosting serum injections but these can be incredibly expensive. There are a few companies that now offer nutritional supplements claiming to support telomere health. Should you choose any of these routes, be sure to do your research and make sure the doctor or company stands behind its claims.
Sources used for this article include:
"Telomerase reactivation reverses tissue degeneration in aged telomerase-deficient mice." Jaskelioff M, Muller FL, Paik JH, Thomas E, Jiang S, Adams AC, Sahin E, Kost-Alimova M, Protopopov A, Candinanos J, Horner JW, Maratos-Flier E, Depinho RA. Nature. 2011 Jan 6; 469(7328): 102-6. Epub 2010 Nov 28.
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About the author:
Derrell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Nutritional Consultant. His mission is to assist as many people as possible during a time when great health is stolen instead of fostered. Follow Derrell at thoughtfulhealth.blogspot.com or email him at [email protected]. If you are interested in toxin free nutritional and personal care products please visit thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com.
Derrell is a Holistic Health Practitioner and Nutritional Consultant. His mission is to assist as many people as possible during a time when great health is stolen instead of fostered. Follow Derrell at thoughtfulhealth.blogspot.com or email him at [email protected]. If you are interested in toxin free nutritional and personal care products please visit thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com.
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