Elizabeth Blackburn, Nobel laureate in Medicine, outlines which factors can control ageing
The biologist has studied how stress and lifestyle can accelerate the process of DNA degradation.
Elizabeth Blackburn is one of the world’s leading molecular biologists, with a deep understanding of cellular life and human aging. Her research has outlined some of the key factors in controlling ageing in humans.
In 2009 the Australian-American scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the molecular structure of telomeres, the protective ends of chromosomes, and telomerase, the enzyme that maintains and repairs them. Throughout that research she studied the process of cellular aging.
As ageing changes our bodies, Blackburn focused her studies on how our health deteriorates or improves depending on the habits we adopt throughout life. She concluded that telomere length and telomerase function have a direct relationship with lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, exercise and social relationships.
How do telomeres affect ageing?
To use an analogy, telomeres are like the tips of shoelaces. Every time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten. When cells are so small that they don’t produce enough telomeres, they eventually die, leading to significant cellular aging.
To help the process of cell regeneration it’s important to provide telomeres with the necessary mechanisms to maintain a standard length. Short telomeres are linked accelerated biological aging, while excessively long telomeres suggest the presence of genetic mutations.
Therefore, Blackburn’s research found that there is an optimal telomere length to prevent unnecessary cellular aging. She recommends managing stress, exercising regularly, avoiding ultra-processed foods, sleeping at least seven hours per night, and striving to maintain positive social relationships.
Essentially, living a healthy, well-balanced life gives your cells the best chance of regenerating efficiently and preventing premature ageing.
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