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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Telomere Length and Telomerase Activity; A Yin and Yang of Cell Senescence
Published on: May 22, 2013
Exploring the relationship between religiosity and telomere length in older individuals
Juliane Piasseschi de Bernardin Gonçalves1, Thais Chile1, Vanessa J R de Paula1
1Department & Institute of Psychiatry, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (LIM21, LIM-23 & LIM-27), Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Objectives:
Although telomere length is an established marker of biological aging, the impact of religious beliefs on telomere length remains uncertain.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between religiosity and telomere length among senior Brazilians, aged 60 and older. The study examined the association between organizational, non-organizational, and intrinsic religiosity with telomere length, adjusting for sociodemographic, mental, physical health, and medication. Hierarchical linear regression models were used.
Results:
821 participants (62.2 % female, mean age 68.9 years, SD = 6.48) were studied. Female gender and younger age were linked to longer telomeres, but no significant associations were found between religious beliefs and telomere length in adjusted or unadjusted models.
Conclusions:
This study found no evidence of an association between religiosity and telomere length among older Brazilian adults. While prior research highlights religiosity's positive health effects, its direct influence on telomere length remains unclear, warranting further exploration.
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