A new study published in Aging (Aging-US) reveals that inflammation—not diet, exercise, or smoking—has the strongest association with telomere shortening, a key marker of cellular aging. Researchers from Wageningen University analyzed data from over 7,000 U.S. adults and found that higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammation marker, were consistently linked to shorter telomeres, particularly in younger and middle-aged individuals.
The study, titled “Diet, lifestyle and telomere length: using Copula Graphical Models on NHANES data,” examined more than 100 variables, including diet, physical activity, and blood biomarkers, across three age groups. While telomeres—protective caps on chromosomes that shorten with age—were previously thought to be influenced by healthy habits, this research highlights inflammation as the primary factor.
Key findings showed that CRP levels and gamma-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) had the strongest ties to telomere length, whereas direct links to diet or lifestyle were minimal. This suggests that lifestyle impacts on aging may be indirect, primarily through reducing inflammation.
Dr. Angelo M. Tedaldi, one of the lead researchers, noted, “Telomeres appear particularly vulnerable to inflammation, not oxidative stress, underscoring the need to target chronic inflammation for healthy aging.”
The study challenges earlier assumptions by using advanced modeling to provide a more comprehensive view of aging. While further research is needed to confirm causality, the findings emphasize managing inflammation as a potential strategy to slow cellular aging. Reducing chronic inflammation through lifestyle changes or medical interventions could help mitigate age-related diseases in the future.
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