Why do some people live longer?
A lot of it has to do with the body’s telomeres. What’re they?
Research indicate that they are the “cap” on the end of our DNA strands, like the plastic end or aglet, on the end of a shoestring. As time goes on, your cells divide, naturally shortening and losing a bit of the telomere as you age.
If you have long healthy telomeres from the start, the fixed number of divisions your cells experience won’t adversely affect the telomeres. But if telomere length runs out, cell health sufferers, and health problems begin to occur.
It is clear from previous telomere research that a person with “critically short” telomeres also experience chromosome instability. Recently it’s been discovered that disruption, dysfunction, and damage to the telomeres may cause so much chromosome instability that cell death may occur. However, expert Suzy Cohen notes, cell death is not the worst thing in the world. When a cell is sick, it’s best to just let it go.
Practically speaking, recent science has determined how healthy telomeres should be nourished. In cell studies, researchers found a connection between dysfunctional short and long telomeres’ insufficient folate in the cells, which in turn creates a reduction in methylation. Impaired telomeres lead to damaged DNA.
Folate ( not to be confused with folic acid) is vital to methylation. Research conducted on humans has also found that vitamin B12 is necessary nourishment to healthy telomeres. Recently, a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that subjects whose intake of vitamin B6, B12, folate, calcium, and vitamin D was restricted experienced reduced methylation and shorter telomeres, effectively speeding up aging.
Cohen advises skipping expensive designer supplements to correct the issues. She doesn’t feel there is enough evidence of their effectiveness. Instead, take B9 and B12 to aid detoxification. All told, daily wholesome eating is the best way to protect your telomeres.
Read the full article here: Methylation & Your Telomeres
