Telomere attrition
Protective caps on chromosome ends shorten with each division, eventually limiting cell renewal.
Short telomeres trigger DNA damage responses, constrain stem-cell and immune-cell replicative capacity, and impair tissue maintenance. Telomere biology intersects replicative senescence and cardiovascular risk in large epidemiologic cohorts.
How to minimize telomere attrition
- Chronic psychological and metabolic stress associates with faster telomere shortening—stress management and insulin sensitivity matter.
- Regular aerobic and resistance exercise correlates with more favorable telomere length vs sedentary controls.
- Sleep duration and quality link to telomere maintenance markers in multiple observational studies.
- Telomerase-targeted therapies remain experimental; commercial telomere supplements lack robust human longevity evidence.