Telomeres and Other Factors of Aging
The research on telomeres dates back to the 1930’s when scientists found peculiar structures at the ends of chromosomes. Although they suspected that telomeres play a protective role as they seemed to prevent chromosomes from sticking together, they arrived at no clear conclusion.
More than 90 years later we know that telomere length is an important factor in the aging process but it doesn’t stand alone. In 2009 three American scientists, Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider, and Jack Szostak won the Nobel Prize in the Physiology or Medicine category for their discovery on how the chromosomes could be copied and how they are protected. The key to these processes can be found in the telomeres at the ends of the chromosomes and its enzyme, the telomerase. We also know now that every species from the simplest amoebas to humans have telomeres.
“If the telomeres are shortened, cells age. Conversely, if telomerase activity is high, telomere length is maintained, and cellular senescence is delayed.“(1)
Let’s see what other processes (subroutines) are contributing to aging (2):
The first sub-routine of aging is the shortening of the telomeres that can be affected by (3):
- Environmental factors
- Level of physical activity
- Body mass index
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Smoking
- Chronic inflammation
- Oxidative stress
- Dietary antioxidants/vitamins
- Drug abuse (Vakonaki et al)
Telomere length is associated with age-related diseases such as:
- Cardio-vascular diseases
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Cataracts
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Mental illnesses
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Dementia
The process of shortening can result in:
- Somatic cellular aging
- Cell-growth retardation
- Senescence or apoptosis of cells
- Accumulation of senescent cells
- Progressive tissue dysfunction
- Inflammatory stress
The second sub-routine of aging is mitochondrial degeneration due to inflammatory and oxidative stress which leads to the accumulation of damaged cells and physiological decay. Physical exercise is beneficial in helping to cleanse out redundant cells through a process called autophagy by activating the AMP kinase enzyme which plays a role in activating glucose, fatty acid uptake and oxidation when cellular energy is low. (4)
Dammarane and Fennoside derived from certain herbs act as stimulators on the mitochondria and assist in different processes from autophagy to testosterone production.
The third sub-routine of aging is reduced expression of mRNA splicing factors that is linked to the accumulation of senescent cells which can be exaggerated by lifestyle and especially diet which is low in polyphenols, the protective compounds found in fruits. However, for the past 50 years or so fruits have become less nutritious, and their polyphenol content has diminished by as much as 90%.
The fourth sub-routine is the accumulation of senescent cells that is mostly due to low polyphenol intake.
The fifth is progressive damage to the extracellular matrix where polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds are present only in low levels, the matrix begins to break down from low level chronic inflammation and further damage is done by dysnutrition. Polyphenols, fennosides and dammaranes have anti-inflammatory effects that have the capacity to slow down this damaging process.
There are two upper-order sub-routines associated with aging:
In sixth place there is weight gain, sarcopenia (muscle loss), and obesity, that all increase the risk of premature aging and also contribute to many non-communicable diseases. These conditions are mostly linked with dietary factors and lifestyle.
In these cases supplementary compounds such as dammaranes act as an up-regulator for the AMP-kinase enzyme that influences metabolism and plays an important role in regulating cell growth and proliferation, establishing and stabilizing cell polarity, physiological rhythm and more. (4)
The seventh sub-routine is endocrine decline. As we age the body gradually loses its ability to produce hormones, including sex hormones (menopause and viropause). This process is also associated with chronic inflammation, shifts in body composition, and lowered energy and drive.
Fennosides can be very useful in restoring the endocrine profile.
As you can see, all these subroutines involve a diet-related element that results in chronic inflammation which can be safely resolved with specific nutritional supplementation and lifestyle adjustments.
In the next post I’ll detail these natural supplements and discuss the reasons why exercise is super effective in the prevention of aging.
References:
- teloprousa.com/telomere-science/
- drpaulclayton.eu/white-papers/health-extention-a-better-way-to-life-extention/
- Discovery of Potent Telomerase Activators:Unfolding News/Therapeutic and Anti-Aging Perspectives
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6755196/
- ptc.bocsci.com