Who among us does not want to look, and feel, younger? We continually purchase skin care and beauty products that promise us the “fountain of youth” effect and to some degree we achieve results. What if there is really a key to lengthening your life while also improving the mental and physical quality of your life? Well, science is zeroing in on what might really help you stay both physically young and young at heart.
The Science Behind Staying Young
DNA is necessary for so many of the processes that occur in your body and it makes sense that your DNA has an impact on the aging process. A telomere is an essential part of your cells that affect and influence how you age. Your cells are constantly replicating and dividing and each time this process takes place, the telomeres at the ends of your chromosomes become a bit shorter. When it comes to the telomeres on your chromosomes, the longer they are the better.
One of the reasons that telomeres are so interesting is in a study that tracked over 600 people up until age 38, the telomeres were clear indicators of certain conditions that tend to worsen with age. Prematurely short telomeres were used to identify bodies that were inflamed and that were having difficulty repairing it’s own DNA. People with the longest telomeres were found to have the highest levels of “good” cholesterol, or HDL.
Telomere length is in one way a reflection of how well your body is able to rise to the challenges of aging.
Resveratrol and Telomeres
Resveratrol is a polyphenol compound found in items such as grapes, blueberries and nuts. Perhaps most famously resveratrol is also found in red wine. Resveratrol shares properties of antioxidants and is the subject of much research with regards to health benefits. Some researchers and health experts suggest that resveratrol can benefit the body by fighting against bodily damage that causes heart conditions and diseases and cancers.
Another reason that resveratrol is an interesting and potentially incredibly beneficial substance is that it is thought to have positive effects on the body that can help to extend your lifespan. It has long been acknowledged that calorie restriction helps lengthen your life, and now researchers and health experts are reporting that resveratrol works in much the same way as calorie restriction does. When you eat less, the SIRT 1 gene is activated. This gene is important because it reduces the amount of cellular stress and also produces proteins that decrease cellular damage due to oxidation and protects cells from inflammation.
These benefits alone are enough to make you want to grab a glass of red wine. Resveratrol has the same positive effects on your health that long telomeres do. Enjoy the positive health benefits of resveratrol by snacking on a handful of nuts or enjoying a glass of your favorite red wine. As with anything, red wine should be enjoyed in moderation to ensure that the positive health benefits are not negated by consuming too much alcohol.
