The Lancet (Oncology) journal described a study whose results revealed that improvements in diet, exercise, stress management, and social support are associated with longer telomeres* (DNA-protein complexes at the end of chromosomes which shorten with cellular aging).
The current study included 35 men with low-risk prostate cancer who had elected to undergo active surveillance. Ten men participated in the lifestyle intervention and 25 served as controls. Blood samples collected from the subjects at the beginning of the study and after five years were analyzed for peripheral-blood mononuclear cell telomere length and telomerase levels.
The lifestyle program consisted of a whole food diet, moderate exercise, stress management (yoga, meditation and relaxation), and weekly support group sessions.
Men who engaged in the lifestyle program had telomeres that were 10% longer on average at the end of the study, while the control group experienced an average 3% decrease in length. Greater adherence to lifestyle recommendations were found to be associated with a corresponding increase in telomere length.
Reference:
The Lancet Oncology - 1 October 2013 ( Vol. 14, Issue 11, Pages 1112-1120 )
DOI: 10.1016/
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