Most people aspire to maintain good health for as long as possible without showing signs of aging prematurely. Many studies and research have proven a strong relationship between diet and the manifestation of these symptoms, although the underlying mechanism behind this relationship has not yet been revealed. German medical journalist Andreas Job mentioned that only a small group of people are aware of the importance of nutrition for the body's repair mechanisms, indicating that science points to telomeres found in chromosomes.
Job explained that the primary role of telomeres is to protect the genetic programs of cells, but with each cell division, telomeres become slightly shorter, and chromosomes become increasingly unstable as one ages. The cells also no longer perform their functions as previously and are no longer capable of regeneration.
Professor Christina Norman, head of the Department of Nutrition and Aging Research at the German Institute of Nutrition Research in Potsdam-Rehbrücke, believes that telomeres play a role when it comes to aging, but they are not the only factor responsible for the appearance of aging symptoms. There are many aging mechanisms, including DNA damage or the depletion of stem cells.
Even if telomeres are not solely responsible for the aging process in the body, there is evidence that they can be taken care of by following a good diet. Job advises consuming low amounts of sugar and other processed products, which lead to the formation of "free radicals" that damage cells and their DNA and provoke inflammation within the body, ultimately damaging telomeres.
He recommends increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables, which contain antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. Green tea and coffee are also noted for containing antioxidants.
To slow down aging, nutrition experts advocate for the Mediterranean diet, which focuses on a lot of vegetables, fruits, legumes, healthy oils like olive oil, and limited amounts of meat and fish.
Although theoretically, it has been shown that telomeres can be affected by diet, there is no major study explaining the underlying mechanism. In conclusion, Job and Norman agree that diet must be supported by a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, adequate sleep, and the cessation of smoking and alcohol consumption.
