Telomeres, pictured above, are a specific sequence of DNA that protects the ends of each chromosome and keeps it from “fraying“ every time it is replicated. As telomeres shorten, chromosomes are less protected and become tangled and damaged. This leads to poorly constructed cells and speeds the aging process.
There are several things that you can do to improve the health of your telomeres and delay shortening. Number one on the list is achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity has become epidemic in the United States. According to the CDC, between 2017 and 2018, 42.4% of people in the United States had obesity. Obesity is associated with leading causes of death including heart disease cancer and stroke.
A new weight loss and weight control practice is called “Time-Restricted Eating“. It is a type of diet that limits calorie consumption to a time window of eight hours per day or less. It is a relatively simple diet that may be easier to stick with. Intermittent fasting, on the other hand is more intense, leading to feelings of suffering and loss, that is more difficult to adhere to.
So if you want to delay your body’s aging, look out for your telomeres! Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Eat a healthy diet that is low in processed food and red meats, simple carbohydrates and sugars. Eat fruits and vegetables known for their antioxidant properties. Manage chronic stress with plenty of rest, meditation or prayer.
Time and again, it is shown that the effects of diet and lifestyle are stronger than any one pill.