How Long Will You Live? Here’s How to Tell

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted October 23, 2017

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

It’s the million-dollar question that every senior has asked at one time or another.

And many of my patients have asked it, too – how long am I going to live?

As a doctor, I wish I had a crystal ball… but, believe it or not, I have the next best thing.

Because there’s a tiny piece of your DNA that can actually predict how long you’ll live.

And once you know how to protect this precious genetic material, you can unlock the secret to living years longer than you ever thought possible.

Telomeres are little caps found on the end of our DNA.

They actually protect our DNA from damage. And when the telomere protection is gone, our cells suffer and die.

What we see in our bodies when cells die are wrinkles, poor eyesight, and slower brains.

In short, we age.

Now that scientists can measure telomeres (companies like SpectraCell Laboratories offer testing), they know more than ever what is healthy for us and what is not.

Long telomeres are associated with health and a long life, and short telomeres are not.

Guess what causes your telomeres to shorten?

• Smoking
• Adding weight
• Lack of exercise
• Exposure to pollution
• Living a stressful life
• Eating an unhealthy diet

Short telomeres show up in disease, too. They are associated with: coronary heart disease, heart failure, diabetes, increased cancer risk, osteoporosis, and many other diseases.

But enough of the bad side of telomeres. Let’s looks at what we can do to protect them:

• Fiber helps to keep our bowels regular, but also to take toxins out of our bodies.
• Good proteins such as grass-fed and free-range meats.
• Antioxidants, especially those found in colorful fruits and veggies. If you don’t get enough vegetables in your diet, make sure you supplement.
• Exercise may be one of the best ways to keep your telomeres long.

These nutrients also help:

• Curcumin is an extract of the spice turmeric. It is anti-inflammatory and provides good antioxidant protection.
• Fish oils provide essential fatty acids that most people are not getting. Make sure you supplement if you are not eating fish 2-3 times a week.
• Polyphenols are phytonutrients that are found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Most people are not getting enough of these either.

Our study of telomeres is in its infancy. We still have so much to learn.

What we have learned so far, though, is that when we take care of ourselves, we increase the genetic changes that we need to live long and healthy lives.

Health and Happiness,

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

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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.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND