Does exercise lengthen telomere length?

Telomeres tell doctors, such as board-certified physician Dr. Avi Ishaaya, how well their patient’s cells are aging. Hopefully, they are healthy and strong so that they can successfully fight off any mutations or degenerations found in the body. These telomeres are made of shelterin, proteins that work to prevent your DNA sequence from becoming diseased or damaged.

It’s normal for telomeres to shorten as we age, but with telomere testing at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, we can analyze any chromosomal changes. However, these changes can lead to failing health or shorter life. Shorter telomeres tell us when you are more likely to develop certain disorders or diseases, and your risk for developing cancer. During a consultation at our Los Angeles, CA office, we can perform this telomere length testing to see your current telomere length. From there, we can offer tips on how to lengthen your telomeres successfully.

What causes telomere shortening?

Telomere shortening usually occurs because of poor lifestyle choices, including a poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, drinking, and being overweight or obese. When telomeres shorten, it tells your cells to regenerate less healthy cells and to produce mutations that are known to cause cancer. The symptoms that you may feel from this shortening will vary; however, it can affect every organ in your body. This is why telomere testing is so important for patients of all ages in Los Angeles, CA. DNA testing allows Dr. Ishaaya to both diagnose and treat disorders or diseases that are caused by telomere shortening.

How telomere testing works

A telomere test is done with a blood or cheek swab test. You don’t have to fast to have this test at your initial consultation. Your sample is then sent to a lab for evaluation. At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, we recommend our patients have telomere testing annually to compare results and to examine lifestyle changes that have been proven to lead to healthy DNA. This gives Dr. Ishaaya a baseline to make treatment suggestions to improve your health. It also gives him information if your telomeres are healthy.

Does exercise lengthen telomeres?

When it comes to exercise and telomere length, exercise has been proven to build up telomeres by stimulating the body’s production of telomerase. The higher the heart rate, the more telomerase is produced in the body. This means that cardio is vital to lengthening telomeres. However, don’t forget the weights as resistance training is still important for muscles and bones as we age.

How to slow down telomere shortening

Dr. Ishaaya wants to help patients slow down the telomere shortening process to help improve overall health. Some ways you can help slow down telomere shortening include:

1. Maintain a healthy weight.

2. Exercise regularly.

3. Quit smoking.

4. Get enough sleep.

5. Reduce and manage stress.

6. Eat a telomere-protective diet with foods high in vitamin C, like red peppers, kale, and blueberries. This protects DNA from stress.

7. Monitor your cholesterol and sugar levels regularly.

8. Take nutritional supplements based on regular blood work.

At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, we can make health suggestions that help you lengthen your telomeres and improve your overall health.

How telomere testing helps you live longer

Telomere testing allows Dr. Avi Ishaaya to examine your existing chromosomes to learn more about how you’re aging. At our Los Angeles, CA office, we can create an anti-aging plan that helps you maintain your telomere length and slow down any telomere shortening. The biggest factors for telomeres are aging, genetics, and stress. When you want to learn more about improving your health, contact Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers to schedule an appointment for telomere testing.