Tag: Telomere Attrition

A sub-study, which was part of the large-scale VITAL trial, determined that vitamin D supplementation slows telomere attrition in leukocytes almost to a halt. This could have real-life clinical implications [1]. The chromosome guardians Attrition of telomeres, repetitive sequences that cap chromosomes, is one of the original hallmarks of aging. Our cells' replication machinery does...

A recent study has found that the overexpression of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), which is a subunit of telomerase, an enzyme essential for telomere maintenance, leads to lifespan extension in mice without significant side effects [1]. Protecting DNA Telomere shortening is a well-known hallmark of aging. Telomeres are protective DNA sequences at the ends of...

Treating middle-aged people for six months with a supplement combination that included astragalus, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, positively impacted their telomeres [1]. Preventing the shortening Telomeres are like shoelace aglets, forming protective caps at the ends of DNA strands. They are made of a specific repetitive sequence of nucleotides. They prevent chromosome...

Scientists have identified a small molecule that upregulates telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in multiple tissues, improving health and cognition in old mice. Telomere attrition and health Why We Age: Telomere AttritionTelomeres are DNA regions located at the ends of a chromosome. Their normal length is 8-10 thousand base pairs, yet they consist of repetitions of...

A recent study from Penn State University may shed more light on the link between telomeres, aging, and why caloric restriction appears to influence them. Telomeres are linked to aging Telomeres are small protective caps on the ends of our chromosomes that guard our DNA. Telomere attrition, in which these caps slowly erode, is a...

A new study published in BMC Psychiatry reviewed literature that links perceived stress during pregnancy with newborns' telomere length [1]. Lifelong impact of telomere length Telomeres are protective caps at the end of chromosomes. The shortening of the telomeres, which happens with each DNA replication cycle [2], is one of the Hallmarks of Aging. Why...