You hear talks about aging and anti-aging everywhere these days. They’re on TV, on the radio, in your emails, even on milk bottles! Companies promise you to reverse your aging process if you use their “new miracle product”. Their “new fantastic technique” will help you live longer and stay youthful for ever…
But what is age except for the numbers of years you’ve been on Earth? How significant that number actually is? And why should a number define who you are?
If you’re anything like me, you could feel like you’re 25 one day and on top of the world, then 72 the following day, overwhelmed by life itself.
Age is definitely more than a number!
Days pass, faster each year.
The good news is that your body and your mind don’t have to age that fast. Scientists have been talking about ways to slow down the aging process. They say it starts with a healthy life style –how surprising! But that’s not it.
Telomeres and Telomerase
A group of biologists received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, for their discovery on how important the tail of your chromosomes –those tiny structures inside your cells, made from DNA and protein—and its enzyme were in the aging process.
The tail of the chromosome is called “Telomere”, the enzyme “Telomerase”. They protect their chromosome from degradation .
When you’re born, your telomeres are pretty long, then they shrink as you age, until they’re “retired”. This cellular aging is simply due to your cells dividing to build new tissue –skin, organ, bones, etc.
How old are your Telomeres?
Labs are now able to test your Telomeres so they can discover your cellular age. These labs have been multiplying lately, but whether you decide to get tested at the actual lab or at home,, you will know how old you really are. Then, what?
By testing your telomeres length, you could discover how to improve your lifestyle to slow down your aging process, but you could also find out if you’re at risk for specific diseases and therefore, find a therapy.
There is still a lot to discover about telomeres and their impact on diseases and aging. Scientist work relentlessly on finding cures to cancer and other life threatening conditions, but therapies using telomeres and telomerase aren’t effective yet.
Slow Down Your Aging Process
You could lengthen your telomeres by:
- Reducing stress and meditate
- Exercise regularly
- Get your daily dose of antioxidants and vitamins
So we’re back to the healthy lifestyle. Once you know your real age, take a look at how you arrived there and what you could change in order to slow down your cellular aging. It might seem complicated but taking the time to breathe every day, or just laugh and be happy could be your solution. This simple action would produce more endorphins in your body –that’s the feel good effect—so you would be less stressed and your telomeres could stay long!
One more proof that happiness is the easiest way to longevity…