Multivitamins Extend Telomere Length – and Therefore Lifespan Potential

Friday, May 22, 2009
By: Byron J. Richards,
Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist

A new study of 586 women1 has shown for the first time that regular multivitamin intake extends telomereA telomere is a repeating sequence of DNA at the end of a chromosome. Each time a cell replicates and divides the telomere loses some of its length. Eventually the telomere runs out and the cell can no longer divide and rejuvenate, triggering a poor state of cell health that contributes to disease risk and eventual cell death. length by 5.1%.  This is a significant anti-aging finding.

Telomeres are located at the end of chromosomes and protect it from destruction – much like the ends of shoelaces that keep them from unraveling.  As cells replicate the length of telomeres is shortened, and eventually cells reach their limit in terms of the ability to split and divide (the Hayflick limit).  This is why the theoretical lifespan for humans is 120 years – the point at which telomeres in your body, collectively speaking, simply run out of gas.

The shortening of telomeres can also be speeded up by oxidative stress and inflammation.  These are wear and tear factors that shorten lifespan.

Taking a basic multivitamin, compared to not taking one, offers a clear telomereA telomere is a repeating sequence of DNA at the end of a chromosome. Each time a cell replicates and divides the telomere loses some of its length. Eventually the telomere runs out and the cell can no longer divide and rejuvenate, triggering a poor state of cell health that contributes to disease risk and eventual cell death. advantage that can only be interpreted as a significant anti-aging benefit.  The study also found that higher dietary intake of vitamin C and vitamin E also extended telomereA telomere is a repeating sequence of DNA at the end of a chromosome. Each time a cell replicates and divides the telomere loses some of its length. Eventually the telomere runs out and the cell can no longer divide and rejuvenate, triggering a poor state of cell health that contributes to disease risk and eventual cell death. length.  It is pretty clear from this study that basic nutrients are vital for slowing down accelerated telomereA telomere is a repeating sequence of DNA at the end of a chromosome. Each time a cell replicates and divides the telomere loses some of its length. Eventually the telomere runs out and the cell can no longer divide and rejuvenate, triggering a poor state of cell health that contributes to disease risk and eventual cell death. damage which in turn means you would have more potential to live longer.

Not bad for a simple multiple vitamin.


Referenced Studies:
  1. ^ Telomeres, Aging, and Nutrients  Am J Clin Nutr  Qun Xu, Christine G Parks, Lisa A DeRoo, Richard M Cawthon, Dale P Sandler and Honglei Chen.

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