Telomeres are the protective caps at the end of our DNA. They protect our genetic data and make sure that it doesn't get damaged. Telomeres shorten every time a cell divides, so as we age, our telomeres shorten too.
The telomeres shorten as we age, which is why aging is inevitable. They protect our genetic data from damage, but as we age, they shorten.
Telomerase is an enzyme that can lengthen telomeres and extend human life by repairing DNA.
There are many ways to lengthen telomeres: lifestyle changes, eating healthy, taking supplements, and exercise.
In summary, telomeres function as a protective buffer for the DNA strands that can be damaged by free radicals or other oxidative agents in the environment. Telomere length is an indicator of biological aging and is used to predict life expectancy and age-related diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Elizabeth Blackburn was awarded with Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2009 for her discovery of telomeres and their correlation with aging.
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