What Are Telomeres And Why Longer Taller Ones Are Better?

Telomeres are sections of DNA at the end of each chromosome forming a cap and protecting cells from aging. They help chromosomes to replicate during cell division and secure DNA from getting damaged. In humans, the telomere sequence is TTAGGG. With time, these caps naturally get shortened and become incapable of protecting the cell. The longer the telomeres, the healthier we are.

Telomere’s Length and Life Span

Studies have proven the connection between longer telomeres and longer life. Including plant-based food in the diet, low fat, moderate daily exercise, proper stress management, and social support can increase the telomere length by 10 percent, shielding the body against chronic and degenerative diseases like cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies suggest that the risk of cardiac arrest-caused death is three times higher in those above 60 with short telomeres than those with long telomeres.

How to Maintain Telomere Long

Telomeres naturally shorten over time, but we can keep it lengthier for a long time by staying away from excessive smoking, alcohol, stress, and a diet of processed food.

Habits and Behaviors for Better Telomere Length

Though its shortening is a natural process, we can have control over it to an extent through multiple options, such as certain habits and behaviors.

• Meditate
• Limit exposure to air pollution
• Exercise
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Intake more veggies and healthy fats

Telomere’s length is critical to our aging and we need to keep it lengthier as long as possible. A healthy lifestyle is what we require for a better telomere.