6 Secrets to a LONGER Life
Today I’m going to tell you how to lengthen your telomeres.
If you’re thinking, “My what?” I’m not surprised!
Most folks have no idea they even have telomeres—much less why they’d want to make them longer.
BUT telomeres have become a HOT TOPIC among longevity scientists these days. And it’s all because research has revealed this simple fact:
The LONGER your telomeres, the LONGER your life.
On the other hand, abnormally short telomeres not only predict a shorter life, but a sicker one. Studies show it makes you more susceptible to liver disease, gastrointestinal disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and more.
In other words, the trick to a LONGER and HEALTHIER life is to lengthen your telomeres.
My favorite way to describe telomeres is that they’re like the little plastic pieces on the end of your shoelaces.
Without those wraps, the shoelaces eventually begin to fray.
Telomeres are protective caps on the end of your DNA strands. They protect your chromosomes from damage over time.
The good news is scientists haven’t JUST identified the connection between longer telomeres and a longer, healthier life. They’ve also pinpointed ways to lengthen them.
I’m going to share the top five of them with you today.
- Eat a healthy, whole-food diet.
Studies consistently show that a diet rich in whole foods like wild-caught seafood, seasonal vegetables, nuts, seeds, and dairy reduces inflammation, dials down oxidative stress, and lengthens telomeres.
- Get more omega-3s.
A few specific nutrients are directly connected to longer telomeres. Omega-3s are one of them. In a study, researchers found the more omega-3s folks absorb into their red blood cells, the longer their telomeres become.
- Delve into D.
Another specific nutrient that protects your telomeres is vitamin D. Numerous studies have revealed that people with the highest vitamin D levels tend to have the longest telomeres. Those with the lowest levels tend to have the shortest.
- Get more sleep.
One study found that men who slept less had shorter telomeres. This was independent of age, weight, and other health factors.
- Reduce stress.
Psychological stress is associated with greater oxidative stress and shorter telomere length. And the effect is significant. In a study, volunteers with the HIGHEST stress levels had DNA that looked 10 YEARS older! Meanwhile, stress-reducing activities like meditation lengthen and protect telomeres.
- Get moving.
A study of over 400,000 adults showed that people who walked just 10 minutes per day had longer telomeres. The effect was significant enough for their biological age to look 16 years younger by midlife.
You’ve probably noticed that none of these telomere lengthening tips are complicated or mysterious. In fact, they’re simply good common sense for anyone who wants to be healthier in general.
But knowing their direct connection to telomere length helps us understand yet another reason why they’re such a vital component of a healthy lifestyle.
P.S. There are plenty of lifestyle changes you can make to help slow down the hands of time — like moving more, getting up with the sun, and maintaining a healthy weight. In addition, here are SIX key nutrients that can help you look AND feel younger… at any age.
SOURCE:
Frye, H. (2023, January 31.) “5 Ways to Lengthen Your Telomeres + Strive for Longevity.” MBG Health. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-lengthen-telomeres
