Telomere Shortening and Telomerase. ​Content What are telomeres?  ​Telomeres shorten with each cell division as we age ​Shorter telomeres. So what? Rates of telomere shortening vary from person to person: genetic and lifestyle factors. Controversial data ​Telomerase. A solution to the telomere shortening?  Maintaining or improving telomere length. Practical Recommendations  Summary References and literature​ ​ What are Telomeres?  Telomeres are sequences […]

Telomere (tel-uh-meer) from the Greek telos (end) and meros (part). Telomeres are an essential part of human cells that affect how our cells age. Telomeres are the caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect our chromosomes, like the plastic tips at the end of shoelaces. Without the coating, shoelaces become frayed until they can no longer […]