Telomere length as a biomarker of accelerated aging: is it influenced by dietary intake?

Author: Freitas-Simoes TM1, Ros E2,1, Sala-Vila A2,1
Affiliation:
1Ciber Fisiopatología de Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
2Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona.
Conference/Journal: Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care.
Date published: 2018 Aug 24
Other: Special Notes: doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000506. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 194


PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is increasing interest in exploring whether age-related diseases can be prevented by dietary means through nutrients or food bioactives, whole foods, or specific dietary patterns. Because of the slow nature of the aging process, biomarkers such as telomere length are helpful for this purpose. Here we update the developments in the area during the last 2 years.

RECENT FINDINGS: Most data stem from epidemiologic studies, often cross-sectional in design. Recent articles strengthened the link between consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and telomere shortening, whereas a novel association between telomere length and drinking coffee has been uncovered. Controversy on meat consumption and telomere length persists, mostly because of the presumed different effects of total meat and processed meat. In general terms, increasing consumption of antioxidant-rich plant foods relates to maintained telomere length. Feeding intervention trials with outcomes on telomere length are few and thus far have contributed little to further knowledge on this topic.

SUMMARY: Epidemiologic studies provide support for the putative effects of diet components on telomere length and on the aging process in general. Dietary associations with telomere length should be confirmed with adequately powered randomized controlled trials.

PMID: 30148739 DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000506

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