Are Telomeres the Key to Aging and Cancer
Inside the nucleus of a cell, our genes are arranged along twisted, double-stranded molecules of DNA called chromosomes. At the ends of the chromosomes are stretches of DNA called telomeres, which protect our genetic data, make it possible for cells to divide, and hold some secrets to how we age and get cancer.
Telomeres have been compared with the plastic tips on shoelaces because they keep chromosome ends from fraying and sticking to each other, which would destroy or scramble an organism’s genetic information.
Yet, each time a cell divides, the telomeres get shorter. When they get too short, the cell can no longer divide; it becomes inactive or “senescent” or it dies. This shortening process is associated with aging, cancer, and a higher risk of death. So telomeres also have been compared with a bomb fuse. READ MORE
Save Your Telomeres
Since their discovery more than 75 years ago by the Nobel Laureate geneticist Hermann Müller, telomeres have attracted worldwide attention among scientists investigating the aging process.
Telomeres are the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes composed of short DNA sequences protecting our DNA and genetic material from damage. Another Nobel Laureate, Elizabeth Blackburn, likened telomeres to the little plastic caps on the ends of shoelaces (aglets).
Under normal conditions, when a cell divides, telomeres shorten. If they grow too short, they reach what’s known as the Hayflick limit (named after the esteemed gerontologist Leonard Hayflick), and the protective capacity of the telomere decreases. Real-world relevance of telomere shortening can be observed during the aging process in humans when comparing the length of telomeres from newborns (8,000 base pairs) to adults (3,000 base pairs) to elderly individuals (1,500 base pairs). READ MORE
IsaGenesis: Plant-Based Ingredients for Youthful Aging
Telomeres are the protective DNA sequences at the end of each chromosome. They are essential to maintaining genome stability within the cells, and researchers have honed in on telomeres as a marker of biological aging.
Over time, our telomeres begin to gradually shorten, which is naturally associated with normal aging. Early telomere shortening is linked to lifestyle factors such as poor diet, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins, which can lead to negative consequences for health (1-5).
Think of telomeres like the plastic caps on the end of your shoelaces. With time, they will inevitably get worn down. If you take care of your shoes, you can protect your shoelaces from splitting and fraying faster than they naturally would.
Why IsaGenesis? A growing body of scientific literature suggests that antioxidant nutrients along with select plant extracts and herbal ingredients can support telomeres and defend against the harmful effects of oxidative stress known to accelerate the cellular aging process (6). READ MORE
The 27 Best Anti-Aging Tips of All Time
Prevent fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dark spots, and other visible signs of aging with these proven strategies…
1) Skip the Straw
2) Seriously, Don’t Smoke
3) Eat Your Antioxidants
4) Fill Up on Fermented Foods
5) Pack on the Protein… READ MORE