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T E L O M E R E Telomere (tel-uh-meer) from the Greek telos (end) and meros (part) Telomeres are an essen al part of human cells that affect how our cells age. Telomeres are the caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect our chromosomes, like the plas c ps at the end of shoelaces. Without the coa ng, shoelaces become frayed un l they can no longer do their job, just as without telomeres, DNA strands become damaged and our cells can't do their job. Telomeres protect the vital informa on in our DNA DNA makes up all of the cells in our body. It is the gene c material that makes us who we are. And every organ in our body (skin, liver, heart, etc.) is made up of cells. So, telomeres are vital to our health. Our cells replenish by copying themselves. This happens constantly throughout our lives. Telomeres get shorter each me a cell copies itself, but the important DNA stays intact. Eventually, telomeres get too short to do their job, causing our cells to age and stop func oning properly. Therefore, telomeres act as the aging clock in every cell. Telomeres are shortened as we age, but telomeres can also be shortened by stress, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and a poor diet. Short telomeres are connected to premature cellular aging Telomere shortening is involved in all aspects of the aging process on a cellular level. Telomere length represents our biological age as opposed to our chronological age. Many scien fic studies have shown a strong connec on between short telomeres and cellular aging. For example, the immune system, which normally weakens as we age, is highly sensi ve to shortening of telomeres. In addi on, a 2007 study found that short telomeres were associated with decreases in bone mineral density in women. Without the protec on from telomeres, our cells age and die. What is a ? INKOS Half Page Ad Abby's Magazine - Volume 4 Issue 4| Page 7