While aging is inevitable, you don't always have to accept the natural aging process. There are various ways to remain fit and healthy, and many people believe telomerase supplements help prevent age-related diseases and promote overall health. But does the science support this, and what exactly can telomerase supplements do?
Telomerase is an enzyme that helps maintain telomeres, the protective tips of chromosomes. As we age, our telomeres naturally shorten, contributing to the aging process. Telomerase supplements are designed to promote the lengthening of telomeres, which may help prevent some age-related diseases and improve overall health.
If you want to know more about telomere lengthening and the potential benefits of telomerase supplements, read on to discover more.
What are telomeres?
Telomeres are stretches of DNA at the end of chromosomes that protect the end from deterioration. They shorten each time a cell divides, and when they get too short, cells can no longer divide and die off or become cancerous. (1, 2)
Telomere length is a good biological marker of aging, and shorter telomeres usually indicate greater age and a higher likelihood of age-related pathologies. (3)
As telomeres provide protection for the genetic material inside DNA, shorter telomeres provide less protection. The shorter the telomere, the more likely a subject is to suffer from disease or age-related illnesses.
What is telomerase?
Telomerase is an enzyme that helps to lengthen telomeres. It is present in most cells, but its production declines with age.
Telomerase supplements are designed to increase telomerase activity and lengthen telomeres. Proponents of telomerase supplements believe they can help prevent age-related diseases and promote overall health.
Does the science support telomerase supplements?
There is increasing scientific evidence to suggest telomerase supplements may offer some health benefits.
The telomere shortening rate allows the prediction of overall lifespan (4). At the same time, at least one study indicates that the combined effect of the right nutrients and natural compounds can activate telomerase and help protect the DNA. (5)
With telomerase supplements that contain all the right ingredients, they could potentially help to:
- Prevent age-related diseases
- Slow down the aging process
- Improve overall health
- Increase lifespan
Can telomere lengthening be achieved naturally?
Yes. There are several ways to lengthen telomeres naturally. Some methods include:
- Exercising regularly (6)
- Eating a healthy diet (7)
- Taking antioxidants (8)
- Reducing stress levels (9)
All of these measures have been shown to help protect telomeres and lengthen them. Ensuring you get all the required nutrients in your diet is possibly the hardest of these points to hit, so a telomerase supplement can be beneficial.
Do telomerase supplements work?
Telomerase has the ability to lengthen telomeres, and taking a supplement that activates or boosts telomerase production should have a positive effect on telomere length.
Combining these ingredients with other nutrients and extracts supporting cell health and working in unison to promote a healthier body should maximize benefit.
Science-backed supplements with research behind them will always be the best way to ensure that you take a product that works as expected. Telomere lengthening is an active and ongoing area of research, and as more is discovered about telomerase and telomeres, we may find even more benefits to taking telomerase supplements.
Are telomerase supplements safe?
So far, no adverse health effects have been linked to telomerase supplements except with long-term use linked to other treatments and conditions. (10) However, as with any supplement, it is always best to speak to a healthcare professional before starting to take them.
If you are considering taking a telomerase supplement, it is important to do your research first to find one that contains all the right ingredients. Natural ingredients suitable for vegans can be critical - the higher the quality of the supplement, the better your results are likely to be.
Telomerase is an enzyme already present in your body, and telomerase supplements are simply designed to support telomerase production. Telomerase supplements with the right ingredients could potentially help to prevent age-related diseases, slow down the aging process, and improve overall health.
What ingredients do telomerase supplements need?
Healthycell Telomere Length is a supplement designed to support the length of your telomeres with multiple bioactive ingredients. Helping to maintain telomerase levels is just the start, as the supplement also supports repairing cellular DNA, boosts nitric oxide, and inhibits homocysteine.
High potency herbal extracts promote telomerase activation. Astragalus root extract, Korean ginseng extract (ginsenosides), and milk thistle seed extract (silymarin) work together to activate telomerase and potentially lengthen your telomeres. (11, 12, 13)
Astragalus root is an adaptogen that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It is known to help the body deal with stress (14), while milk thistle is a well-known liver protectant. (15) Ginsenosides are the active component of Korean ginseng and have been shown to have a positive effect on cellular health and telomere length. (16)
Cellular DNA repair is supported by antioxidants, including resveratrol and AC-11. Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in red wine, grape skin, and some berries. It is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to support cellular health and DNA repair. (17) AC-11 is an extract from uncaria tomentosa, a South American plant used in traditional medicine that is also known as "cat's claw." It has been shown to support DNA repair in human cells. (18)
L-citrulline is an amino acid that is converted to L-arginine in the body, which is a precursor for nitric oxide. (19) Nitric oxide is important for the health of blood vessels. It can help support circulation, which allows nutrients to enter cells more easily and facilitates the removal of waste, critical for optimal health. (20)
Homocysteine levels are reduced by B-complex vitamins. (21) Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced when methionine is broken down in the body. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. (22) B-complex vitamins are important for the metabolism of homocysteine.
B-complex vitamins are also included in the supplement as they are also critical for DNA synthesis and repair. High folate and vitamin B12 help maintain telomere length (23), while vitamin B6 helps to reduce homocysteine levels.
When combined, these ingredients offer a comprehensive solution that could help maintain telomere length, support healthy cells, and protect DNA.
The importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle when taking a telomerase supplement
At this point, it's important to remember that telomerase supplements should not be considered a substitute for eating well and being active. Rather, they may be considered an addition to an already healthy routine.
While a telomerase supplement can help maintain telomere length, it is important to remember that your diet and lifestyle also play a role. A healthy diet is full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. While everyone's ideal diet will vary, avoiding junk food and highly-processed food is a good place to start.
Exercise is critical for overall health and can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and can also help to reduce stress. (24) Getting enough sleep is also important, as lack of sleep has been linked to a number of health problems. (25) You can improve your sleep cycle with Healthycell REM Sleep.
When you combine a healthy diet and lifestyle with a telomerase supplement, you can help to support your health on all fronts. Making some small changes to your diet and lifestyle can have a big impact on your health.
By incorporating a telomerase supplement into your routine, you can help to support the length of your telomeres and maintain cellular health.
Should you be taking a telomerase supplement every day?
There is clear evidence to suggest telomerase supplements may offer some health benefits. However, more research is needed to determine the full extent of these benefits. We know that telomerase supplements need to contain a range of bioactive ingredients to be effective, and high potency herbal extracts are a good way to ensure you're getting all the right nutrients.
If you are interested in trying a telomerase supplement, make sure to choose one that contains all the right ingredients. And, if you are looking to lengthen telomeres naturally, try incorporating some of the methods listed above into your daily routine.
If you're looking for a telomerase supplement containing all the right ingredients, Healthycell Telomere Length may be a good option for you.
