Telomere Test

Assessing your cellular age—using structural analysis of chromosomal change in the telomeres—is well recognized as the best method to date to help you slow down the aging process and experience quality longevity. This process of determining the length of your telomeres is based on discoveries that earned the 2009 Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Telomeres are parts of genetic material at the end of every chromosome whose primary function is to promote cell replication. The Telomere Test can determine the length of your telomeres in relation to your biological age. Serial evaluation of telomere length is an indicator of how rapidly one ages relative to a normal population. The results will show you how to slow telomere shortening through easy changes in nutrition and lifestyle.

What role will nutritional supplements play in slowing telomere shortening?
Oxidative stress will shorten telomere length and cause aging in cellular tissue. Antioxidant supplements can potentially reduce oxidative stress very effectively, which will ultimately improve oxidative defenses and mitochondrial function, reduce inflammation, and slow vascular aging. Targeted supplementation is key, as antioxidants work synergistically and must be balanced to work most effectively and avoid inducing a pro-oxidant effect. Increasing antioxidant capacity at the cellular level is critical to maintaining telomere length.

Recent evidence suggests that a high quality and balanced multivitamin will also help maintain telomere length. Specifically, studies have linked longer telomeres with levels of vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and the antioxidant resveratrol. In addition, homocysteine levels have been inversely associated with telomere length, suggesting that reducing homocysteine levels via folate and vitamin B supplementation may decrease the rate of telomere loss. Similarly, conditions such as cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and even dementia affect telomere length. Correcting subclinical nutritional deficiencies that may contribute to such diseases is crucial for telomere maintenance.

Testing Procedures:
When you receive your test kit, take it to a local lab recommended in the instructions where a blood sample can be drawn. You will than send the sample in a prepaid FedEx overnight envelope to the main lab for telomere analysis. The results will be sent to Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman's office, after which you will receive a copy of the results and a personalized letter of recommendations that include nutritional and lifestyle suggestions based upon your test results.

Testing should be done once per year to evaluate the rate of aging and make adjustments in nutrition, nutritional supplements, weight management, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications known to influence telomere length. Annual testing also helps to gauge your progress and slow down oxidative stress damage which leads to disease.

Test Kit Contains:
Instructions, submittal form, whole blood collection vial, and prepaid shipping envelope.

Please note that your test kit will include the location of the nearest lab to draw your blood sample. If there is not a participating lab in your area, you may choose to go to another lab and pay an additional fee ($12-$30) for the blood draw.

In order to better serve your individual needs, please call (800) 888-4353 and consult with one of our knowledgeable sales staff to order your Telomere Test.