Medical expert on how a healthy diet and lifestyle modifications might prolong telomeres

According to Dr. Rasheed Abassi, a medical expert, telomeres, fundamental proteins that guard the body’s chromosomes, can be prolonged by adopting healthy lifestyles and eating regimens.

This was said by Abassi, the Chief Medical Director of Heritage Men’s Clinic, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

He asserted that telomeres function as shields at the ends of each chromosome and that chromosomes are fundamental biological markers that develop in DNA.

DNA is the molecule that contains the genetic data necessary for an organism to develop and function.

“We are comprised of cells, and each chromosome in a cell is protected by a telomere, which is found at the end of chromosomes.

As we age, our cells deteriorate and our DNA breaks down. So, if my telomeres are functioning properly and I’m providing them with the resources they need to act as defenders, they will delay and stop ageing.

“Your telomeres protect your DNA, which means that if your DNA is not protected, it gets exposed to inflammatory radicals and this will accelerate DNA damage.”

He claims that telomeres enable communication between human cells and that the most recent study of the human genome shows that telomere length correlates with lifespan.

The good news is that by altering our lifestyles appropriately and eating foods that can prolong or shorten telomeres, we can have an impact on them.

He claimed that the lifestyle modifications included getting enough good sleep, exercising, cutting back on salt, and drinking enough water.

According to Abassi, the longer a person lives without making any lifestyle adjustments, the more inflammation they are exposed to.

Heart attack, stroke, myocardial infarction, and uncontrolled high blood pressure are all primarily caused by inflammation.

“Lack of sleep causes internal stressors that cause inflammation, which has an impact on your telomeres.

“Newborn babies depend entirely on their parents for all of their needs, thus they have never experienced any kind of stress or inflammation.

But as you age and begin to experience these life pressures, your body develops a lot of inflammatory processes, which are what harm your telomeres.

The telomeres are shortened by these inflammatory processes, he continued, which results in a reduction in life expectancy.

Speaking of sleep, he suggested getting at least three times a week of decent sleep in between daytime naps and good sleep at night to lengthen telomeres.

He compared daytime slumber to a minor oil change or gearbox repair, as opposed to a comprehensive service.
“The body performs the healing and purifying process if you have good daytime and nighttime sleep.

The only time the human brain goes through its cleaning process is during glymphatic activity, which is enormously increased during sleep.

Telomeres and cancer have been linked, according to Abassi.

Recent studies, he claimed, have shown that consuming processed meals and fizzy beverages causes inflammation, and that inflammatory processes cause cancer.

“You must safeguard your telomeres against cancer. We need nutrients like beans, lettuce, and other wholesome, high-fiber, low-fat diets to maintain the health of our telomeres.

Additionally, while exercise is helpful, stress-induced exercise is not. Regular 15-minute brisk walks after supper and in the morning have been shown to minimise all significant cardiovascular stresses.

The Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as hypertension, diabetes, strokes, and heart attacks, are our main concern in this region of the cosmos.

Exercise for 15 minutes twice a day, for example, has been shown to reduce prostate, breast, colon, and lung cancer risk.

We live healthy lifestyles by eating wholesome, unprocessed foods, consuming less salt, and exercising without being under stress. Nobody can overcome a poor diet through exercise, he continued.

Water, according to Abassi, is crucial for maintaining or feeding the telomeres.

The kidney sought as much water as it could receive, he continued, and stress cells in the body required something to get rid of them.

He emphasised that the kidneys function best when the urine is crystal clear and bubble-free.

The more water you drink, the better you feel since it helps to flush out all of these harmful pollutants.

So, to ensure that your bladder can hold the urine for at least eight hours and that you can get a good night’s rest, drink extra water during the day and three hours before bed.

The doctor continued, “Your urine should be colourless and bubble-free.
He also connected the influence of environmental influences on telomeres.

According to him, pollution could have a negative effect on telomeres since exposure to toxic gases causes inflammation, which subsequently affects telomeres. (NAN)