Dodge Dementia with the “Shoelace Solution”
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 15, 2023
How old are you?
It seems like a pretty straightforward question. You just count the number of candles on your birthday cake—right?
Thing is, knowing how many years you’ve been on the earth is actually NOT that helpful. People age at different rates.
If you have ever been to a high school reunion, you know what I’m talking about. Even though everyone in the room is essentially the same age, some folks look much older and others much younger.
If you’re wondering WHY this is the case, you’re not alone.
Scientists have been scratching their heads about the answer to that same question for a long time. And what they’ve discovered is something called a telomere.
Telomeres resemble those plastic doohickies (called aglets) you find on the ends of shoelaces. Your shoelace works great until that aglet breaks or falls off, and then the lace starts to unravel.
Telomeres are the aglets of your DNA. When they wear down, they can no longer effectively protect your chromosomes. This leads to cell damage and death.
Recently, a study published in the journal PLOS ONE found that having shorter telomeres is closely associated with brain aging. In other words, the smaller the DNA cap, the bigger your risk of developing dementia.
Short telomeres are linked to other diseases, too. They’re associated with coronary heart disease, heart failure, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and more.
You might think that means it’s just the luck of the draw. And that you’re stuck with whatever telomere’s life dealt you. But that’s simply not true. That’s where the “Shoelace Solution” comes in.
Take a look at this list of the top telomere-shortening behaviors…
- Smoking
- Gaining weight
- Lack of exercise
- Exposure to pollution
- Living a stressful life
- Eating an unhealthy diet
Notice anything about the list? They’re ALL things you have some degree of control over. Fix them, and you could slow the rate at which your telomeres wear down and slow biological aging.
But that’s not the only thing you can do to slow down the aging process. There are a few more simple changes you can make to protect your telomeres.
- Fiber helps us have regular bowel movements to remove toxins from our bodies. Research links a high-fiber diet to longer telomeres and less biological aging.
- Telomeres are made up of proteins and DNA. The proteins help protect the DNA from damage and keep the telomeres from shrinking. Healthy proteins like those found in nuts, legumes, and unprocessed grass-fed and free-range meats are associated with healthier telomeres.
- Antioxidants and polyphenols, like those found in colorful fruits and veggies, are linked to longer telomeres. If you don’t get enough produce in your diet, make sure you supplement.
- Exerciseis one of the best ways to keep your telomeres long.
- Curcuminis an extract of the spice turmeric. It is anti-inflammatory and provides good antioxidant protection. Studies link it to longer telomeres. It may even have the ability to help lengthen the DNA caps.
- Many folks fall short on essential omega-3 fatty acids. Studies suggest that omega-3s, found in fish oil, are linked to longer telomeres. Be sure to supplement if you’re not eating fish two to three times a week.
There’s an old saying that you’re only as old as you feel. And I’ll admit there’s a lot of truth to that.
But when it boils down to it, you’re only as old as your telomeres say you are. So make sure yours stay as LONG as possible.
P.S. There’s one HUGE hidden culprit that will put you on the fast train to aging. I spilled the beans RIGHT HERE in an earlier report.
Source:
“Telomere length and brain imaging phenotypes in UK Biobank,” PLOS ONE, Published: March 22, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282363
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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