Do you know what telomeres are?  New studies on aging are highlighting the telomere, located on the ends of DNA strands, they act as caps that keep the strands from unraveling.  Each time a cell divides a small piece of the telomere breaks off until we run out of telomeres and the cell stops dividing.  Cells are limited to about 50 divisions, but there is an enzyme called telomerase that can make more telomeres.  Unfortunately, most of our cells don’t have very much telomerase, except for cancer cells which are virtually immortal and can continue dividing indefinitely.

Studies have shown that if you can increase the number of cell divisions, without causing cancer, you can help your cells to live longer, reducing disease and many frailties associated with aging.   We currently have no way to increase our telomerase, but we can slow the shortening of telomeres.  The number one cause of shortened telomeres is exposure to free radicals and lipid peroxidation which can be countered with antioxidants.  Combinations of specific antioxidants can neutralize these poisonous particles and protect telomeres.  There is a MicroNutrient Test that can measure your bodies’ ability to absorb antioxidants.  There are numerous ways to increase these if you discover that your antioxidant level is deficient.

When antioxidants are taken together they protect each other from oxidation which reduces their efficiency.   Antioxidant enzymes are produced by our bodies but to work at maximum efficiency, they need to be protected by antioxidant vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins C, E and A.  All of these can be found naturally in fruits and vegetables, yet another reason for trying to include these important foods in our diet.  The result of not providing ourselves with this antioxidant protection is severe organ and tissue damage and shortened telomeres causing cells to die early or become frail as they age.

Written by www.labtestingnow.com