Question

5. What are telomeres? How does stress affect them? How can they be repaired?

Answer 1

Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences at the end of chromosomes which protects the chromosomes from deterioration and protecting the chromosomes from fusion with other chromosomes nearby. Telomeres protect the vital information in our DNA Telomeres get shorter each time a cell copies itself, but the important DNA stays intact. Eventually, telomeres get too short to do their job, causing our cells to age and stop functioning properly.

When the cell divides each time, it loses a bit of telomeres. The Enzyme Telomerase can replenish it, but chronic stress and cortisol exposure decreases the supply of the enzyme. When it shortens, it loses its ability to reproduce as it becomes very short. This results in weakening of muscle, wrinkling of skin, affects eyesight, fades hearing etc.

Thus, stress affects these telomeres in negative way and thus the whole body in different ways.

To strengthen the telomeres meditation and yoga are two best ways. These can reverse the DNA reactions which causes stress. The Mind body interactions such as meditation, yoga, Tai Chi etc helps in relaxing and also to reverse molecular reactions in our DNA. Other strategies to get the telomeres repaired are : To limit exposure to air pollution, maintaining a healthy weight, get active by doing exercises, eat foods like citrus, berries, apples, plums, green leaf veggies, tomatoes and antioxidants like beans, nuts, seeds, green tea. etc.

The major ways to repair telomeres are to practice yoga and meditation. This reverses the molecular reactions and helps in keeping the telomeres healthy.