What is a Telomere?
Telomere is the part located at the very end of a chromosome, or the end of a DNA strand, which is our genetic code. However, the telomere consists of repeated base sequences about 3,000-15,000 times that are not directly related to the genetic code but are important in protecting the genetic material from damage while the cells in the body divide.
To preserve the genetic code, telomeres gradually shorten
Although telomeres themselves are not directly involved in decoding the genetic code to create proteins, because the cells in the body continuously deteriorate and are regenerated or divided, during cell division, about 25-200 base pairs of chromosomes are lost each time. The base sequences lost in the telomere region are an attempt to preserve the genetic code to prevent abnormalities in the genetic code, which could harm the body and cause abnormalities in the new cells. However, the gradual shortening of telomeres due to cell division affects the lifespan of cells, which is related to health and physical aging. If the rate of cell deterioration is high, it corresponds to a higher rate of aging.
Health planning to prevent diseases
By measuring Telomere Length
Measuring the length of the chromosome ends, or telomeres, can indicate the biological age of cells and reveal whether the degenerative status of cells occurs faster or earlier than the average person. The biological cell degeneration is related to the risk of future diseases. Knowing the rate of telomere shortening helps in planning prevention, recovery, and proper health care, such as adjusting diet, rest, and exercise, to reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes.
Don’t want to get sick easily or age quickly
Avoid factors that accelerate telomere shortening
Because the natural mechanism of humans causes telomeres to gradually shorten over time, leading to cellular and bodily aging, the rate of telomere shortening varies among individuals due to various factors. If you don’t want to get sick often, easily, or age prematurely, you should improve your lifestyle by avoiding these factors that accelerate telomere shortening faster than normal, such as:
- Smoking or regular exposure to secondhand smoke
- Alcohol consumption
- Overworking, lack of rest, and accumulated stress
- Not eating vegetables and fruits, lacking fiber and antioxidants
- Not exercising
- Being overweight or obese
- Living in a highly polluted environment
These factors cause the telomere division mechanism to occur too rapidly, leading to premature aging and increasing the risk of normal cells turning into cancer cells.
Health care by understanding cellular degeneration in depth through ‘Telomere Length Testing’ can be done by blood sampling without fasting or by collecting tissue and saliva samples from the cheek pouch. After the results are available, doctors will advise and help plan personalized health care to restore the body from within, extend cell lifespan, reduce the risk of serious diseases, and slow down aging simultaneously.