Oxidation – Frank Comstock, MD

Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes. They are the biological clocks of our cells. Each time our cells divide and our DNA is replicated, we lose some telomere length. Telomere length is a marker of biological aging. We age as our telomeres shorten. Telomere shortening is involved in all aspects of aging and chronic disease.

If we could maintain telomere length we could prevent cellular aging! If we accelerate the shortening of our telomeres we accelerate aging. If we slow the rate of telomere shortening we slow the rate of aging. Research reveals that our lifestyle choices impact the rate of telomere shortening, and as a result, our rate of aging. Continue reading “Aging Forces: Telomere Shortening”

Mitochondria are the energy producing structures inside our cells. They are traditionally referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell”. Think of mitochondria as small furnaces inside our cells that burn food to produce cell energy. The cell energy produced is called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

All cells vary in the number of mitochondria they contain. Amazing as it is, inside the trillions of cells in our body are located anywhere from 50 to 2500 mitochondria per cell. Ninety-five percent of cell energy produced occurs in the mitochondria. The high energy producing cells of the heart and brain contain the highest density of mitochondria.

Continue reading “Aging Forces: Mitochondrial Dysfunction”