No, telomeres are not a new exotic vegetable to seek out at the market, but rather the little caps on the end of your own DNA, that protects the DNA from breaking into fragments or inadvertently connecting with another strand. Current research proposes that your telomere length, or lack thereof, is an excellent and reliable indicator of your own natural lifespan. Various acts of life, such as oxidative damage (don't smoke! eat colorful fruits and vegetables for their anti-oxidant content) and stress, can shorten telomeres.
The question is: how can you lengthen your telomeres so that your natural lifespan, that is your high quality lifespan, is as long as possible. A few ways show up, one I mentioned yesterday, here they are:
- Meditation is an excellent tool to lengthen telomeres, whether used to decrease stress, focus the mind or lower the blood pressure.
- Avoid toxins: eat organically when you can, drink water out of glass, stainless steel, or at least BPA-free plastic.
- Eat cold water fish twice weekly and/or take Fermented Cod Liver Oil, for essential fatty acids and food-sourced vitamins A, D, and K2.
- Exercise regularly and wisely: gentle aerobic exercise (walking) almost daily, and vigorous interval exercise two to three times weekly.
- If you must lose weight, don't count calories, but count carbs! Calories are most easily restricted by eliminating healthy fats, but that kind of weight loss stresses the adrenals as well as your peace of mind. Follow the Weight Loss Eating Plan for sensible, sustainable and telomere protecting weight loss!
