Diets Rich In Polyphenols And Telomere Length
Telomere length is linked to healthy cellular aging and one recent study has found that diets rich in polyphenols may protect telomere length.
Telomeres are at the end of our DNA and protect the nucleic acid code from external breakdown. Our DNA is very susceptible to changes which is harmful for our body in most cases. DNA is important as our proteins form from the coded sequences within each of our cells. DNA is the basis of most of the life on Earth and the protection of DNA forms a massive part of sustaining life. Both antioxidants and telomerases are thought to be able to provide our DNA with protection from degradation or changes.
Exposed telomeres accelerate cellular aging. Telomere length issues are also linked to cardiovascular issues and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Oxidative stress from lifestyle habits such as smoking or may also reduce telomerase activity and telomere length. Polyphenols are strong antioxidants which are thought to be able to improve telomerase activity and therefore telomere length. This could have an overall effect of protecting lifespan.
Here the recent research on how polyphenol rich diets could influence telomere length will be considered to show why you may want to include more of these in your diet.
Telomere Length And Health
Telomeres are specific areas located at the ends of your chromosomal DNA sequences. They do not code for proteins and hang over the end of chromosomal DNA. Telomeres form a physical loop of DNA which attracts protective telomere proteins.
They have developed to protect or stabilize chromosomal DNA as exposed DNA ends are a target for serious DNA changes. This includes oxidative stress damage which are a main cause of telomere shortening. Shortened telomeres cause accelerated aging of cells and in some cases may also result in the loss of genetic material. Oxidative stress and telomere length are very much correlated.
Research has found links between telomere length and health issues such as cardiovascular problems, obesity, insulin resistance or degenerative disorders. Oxidative stress inducing lifestyle habits such as smoking, pollution and stress may also influence telomere length. This emphasizes the importance of protecting telomere length for supporting optimal wellness and health throughout our lives.
How Antioxidant Polyphenols Affect Telomere Length
Changes in both diet and lifestyle are influential on telomerase activity. Studies show that high antioxidant levels reduce the shortening of telomeres and release of protective telomerases. Increases in oxidative stress produce the opposite effect.
Polyphenols are plant antioxidant compounds which are found in various fruits and vegetables. There are many different sorts of polyphenols and some are more powerful antioxidants than others. They have been recognised by researchers as being essential for lifespan and may have significant impacts on our health.
Antioxidant polyphenols protect the body from oxidative stress damage and may also influence telomere length. Some polyphenols have a much greater antioxidant capacity than vitamins C or E. This could be up to 50 times greater antioxidant power. As strong antioxidants they could stimulate telomerase release which preserves telomere length.
Research shows that polyphenolic catechins, quercetin and resveratrol for example could encourage greater antioxidant activities within the body. These compounds could also improve telomerase activities and therefore lengthen chromosomal telomeres. Because of this they could influence life expectancy. You can find these compounds in apples, cherries, coffee and cold pressed olive oils.
Polyphenol Rich Supplements Or Foods And Telomeres
Some nutritional health researchers recommend a diet rich in local edible plants which are rich in high antioxidant capacity polyphenols as a possible means of protecting lifespan. Reductions in oxidative stress could slow the shortening of telomeres to shift the body into a more anti ageing and anti inflammatory state.
Polyphenols are also capable of improving the overall antioxidant state of the body because of their step in antioxidant action. They improve levels of core antioxidants produced by the body such as superoxide dismutase.
Research also suggests that Bergamot fruit consumption could influence cell signalling pathways shared with anti aging responses which may improve activity of telomerases. Bergamot fruit is rich in polyphenols. There is also some evidence that polyphenols interact with gut microbes or microbiota to further influence telomere length. Bee products such as honey could also influence telomere length as they are rich in specific polyphenols.
Regular pistachio consumption may also improve telomerase production to conserve telomere length. Preclinical research found a similar result but for walnut consumption. Other studies have found that nuts and seeds in general could possibly improve telomere length when eaten regularly.
Various studies have found that supplements rich in polyphenols may improve telomere length. Supplemental polyphenols could improve telomerase activity and reduce telomere shortening.
Resveratrol And Catechins
Research assessing the effects of polyphenols on telomere length has mostly been with resveratrol and catechins.
So far the research shows that resveratrol shows potential as being able to assist with telomere maintenance. Grape seeds are rich in resveratrol. Resveratrol may also stimulate a specific pathway which protects mitochondrial generation within our cells. There is a strong association between mitochondrial DNA health and telomere length. Overall research with this compound shows impressive telomere protective and antiaging potential as a supplement.
Green tea is rich in polyphenols such as catechins which could protect heart tissue from oxidative stress. These are powerful antioxidant polyphenols which are able to cleanse the body of various reactive compounds or molecules. There are some studies that have linked green tea consumption with improved telomerase activity and telomere length. Coffee is also rich in polyphenols and similar studies have found that regular coffee consumption could protect telomeres against DNA damage.
Epigallocatechin gallate is the most abundant catechin polyphenol in green tea. One in depth study found that a combination of quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate may directly influence telomere shortening activity which would improve cellular lifespan. Based on the research at present a supplement rich in the polyphenols resveratrol and catechins could be well placed to support telomere length.
Overall polyphenols are strong antioxidants which could be preventative of telomere shortening and may preserve lifespan.
Summary
Polyphenol rich diets may influence and preserve telomere length. Telomeres are a region at the end of our DNA which protects the whole DNA strand from degradation. DNA is susceptible to changes and is very important for sustaining life. Exposed telomeres accelerate cellular aging and are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Oxidative stress could reduce the activity of protective telomerases and shorten telomere length. This would also reduce lifespan. Daily activities and diet influence telomerase activity through oxidative stress.
Diets rich in antioxidants are thought to promote healthy telomerase activity. Plant polyphenols are very strong antioxidants and protect our bodies from systemic oxidative stress. Supplemental polyphenols could improve telomerase activity and reduce telomere shortening as they are strong antioxidants.
Polyphenolic catechins, quercetin and resveratrol have been shown to influence telomerase activity. Some foods such as honey or nuts like pistachio could assist with supporting telomere length too.
Most research has been done with resveratrol and catechins. These two polyphenols have many research outcomes backing telomerase activity or telomere lengthening. You can find catechins in green tea and resveratrol in grape seeds.
Overall the research shows that polyphenols are strong antioxidants which may prevent telomere shortening and preserve cellular lifespan through telomerases.
For more interesting articles see the main articles page.
