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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
12:08
Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
Diet, nutrition and telomere length
1Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. Ligi.Paul_Pottenplackel@tufts.edu
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
|March 25, 2011
Summary
Telomere length, a marker of biological aging, shortens with cell division. Nutritional status positively impacts telomere length, potentially through nutrient-mediated cellular functions and telomerase activity.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Telomeres protect chromosome ends from fusion and DNA damage.
- Telomere shortening with cell division leads to senescence and is linked to age-related diseases.
- Nutritional status is positively associated with telomere length in humans and animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between nutritional status and telomere length.
- To understand the mechanisms by which nutrients influence telomere length.
Main Methods:
- Review of human and animal studies on nutrition and telomere length.
- Analysis of potential molecular mechanisms linking nutrients to telomere maintenance.
Main Results:
- Positive association observed between nutritional status and telomere length.
- Nutrients may influence telomere length via inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA integrity, methylation, and telomerase activity.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional status is a significant factor in telomere length maintenance.
- Dietary interventions may represent a strategy to influence biological aging and related pathologies.
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