By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness
May 18, 2015
- Why your heart loves telomeres
- These are your telomeres on inflammation
- Break the cycle for a healthier heart
Shortened telomeres are linked to all sorts of health problems associated with aging.
If you have shorter than average telomeres, your chances of developing cancer, diabetes and dementia are increased. Shorter telomeres also mean a reduced lifespan.
But today I want to zero in on the effect telomere shortening can have on your heart health. I’ll also show you what you can do about it.
The research on telomeres and cardiovascular health in recent years is groundbreaking. In fact, it appears that telomeres may be a predictable marker of cardiovascular aging.
This could be one of the most important connections we’ve ever made when it comes to protecting yourself from heart attack and stroke.
Some of the data coming out on this connection is absolutely startling. For example…
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- Shorter than average telomeres can triple your risk of a heart attack.
- People with hardened or constricted arteries have telomeres that are equivalent to healthy folks who are eight to nine years older.
- The shortening of telomeres in endothelial cells (found in the inner walls of your arteries) may play a critical role when it comes to the build-up of plaque in your arteries.
Ultimately, arterial plaque, heart disease and high blood pressure are all associated with short telomeres. And here’s the real kicker.
Eating a standard American diet could be a key contributor to telomere shortening and heart disease.
There are many reasons our telomeres shorten over the years.
However, one of the key factors is chronic inflammation. And here’s a real truth. The foods we’re encouraged to eat here in the U.S. promote inflammation. It’s all part of the supposedly “healthy” high-carb, low fat lifestyle.
But those carbs you’ve been told to load up on are a problem.
They cause your body to release too much insulin. This creates an inflammatory cascade. And it places you right on the road to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
And what about fats? Today we’re getting way too many omega-6 fatty acids in our diets. These fats are pro-inflammatory. They also put you at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and death. In the meantime, most folks aren’t getting nearly enough omega-3s.
Then there are all the trans fats, processed meats, sweeteners and so forth in packaged food. They do nothing more than fan the flames of inflammation and harm your cardiovascular system even further. Our bodies are practically on fire!
Now here’s the thing. While inflammation can be a driving force behind shortened telomeres, shorter telomeres may also contribute to higher levels of inflammation.
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What can you do to break this cycle, safeguard your heart and protect – even lengthen – your telomeres?
There’s one thing that I heartily recommend.
Adequate nitric oxide (NO) levels are extremely important to your arterial health and blood flow. When your body doesn’t produce enough nitric oxide, your blood vessels can’t relax and expand the way they should. So your blood has to pump harder.
This results in high blood pressure that damages your arterial walls. It also creates inflammation in your arteries.
In the meantime, blood flow to your heart and brain becomes impaired. This substantially increases your risk of heart attack or stroke.
Here’s another thing about nitric oxide.
When it’s plentiful, it helps increase telomerase expression. Telomerase is the enzyme that protects telomeres from becoming shorter. So, NO has double-duty. It not only keeps blood flowing to your heart, brain and other organs. It also protects the telomeres in your blood vessels to keep them functioning properly as you age.
How can you boost your NO levels?
Certain foods contain high levels of inorganic nitrate. When you eat these foods, this nitrate converts to nitric oxide in your body. Beetroot juice is at the top of the list… followed by kale, melon, celery, lettuce and spinach. Broccoli, carrot juice and cabbage are pretty good too.
I recommend looking for a plant-based NO enhancer that has beetroot juice as its main ingredient.
These plant-based formulas vary from one manufacturer to another, so read the labels carefully and look for the one that will give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Sources:
Fyhrquist F, et al. The roles of senescence and telomere shortening in cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2013 May;10(5):274-83.
O’Donovan A, et al. Cumulative inflammatory load is associated with short leukocyte telomere length in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study. PLoS One. 2011;6(5):e19687.
Brouilette S, et al. White cell telomere length and risk of premature myocardial infarction. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2003 May 1;23(5):842-6.
Samani NJ, et al. Telomere shortening in atherosclerosis. Lancet. 2001 Aug 11;358(9280):472-3.
Ogami M, et al. Telomere shortening in human coronary artery diseases. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004 Mar;24(3):546-50.
Crous-Bou M, et al. Mediterranean diet and telomere length in Nurses’ Health Study: population based cohort study. BMJ 2014;349:g6674.
Vasa M, et. al. Nitric Oxide Activates Telomerase and Delays Endothelial Cell Senescense. Circulation Research. 2000; 540-542
