So what are telomeres anyhow? To quote Wikipedia- a telomere is a region at each end of a chromosome which protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration. Telomere regions deter the degradation of genes near the ends of chromosomes. Without telomeres, the genomes would progressively lose information . If cells divided without telomeres, they would lose the ends of their chromosomes, and the necessary information they contain. The telomeres are disposable buffers blocking the ends of the chromosomes, are consumed during cell division, and are replenished by an enzyme, telomerase. These telomeres and telomerase are critical for aging, our immune system and as cancer buffers.

Studies have shown us that stress can shorten both telmeres and the activity of the enzyme. The question remains- how do we protect out telomeres? A small study in the Lancet Oncology shows for the first time that changes in diet, exercise, stress management and social support may result in longer telomeres, the parts of chromosomes that affect aging.

The study was conducted by scientists at UC San Francisco and the Preventive Medicine Research Institute by well known physician Dean Ornish..

While one might think we are fated to our genes, these findings indicate that telomeres may lengthen to the degree that people change how they live. Research indicates that longer telomeres are associated with fewer illnesses and longer life.

As the authors point out, telomeres are the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that affect how quickly cells age. They are combinations of DNA and protein that protect the ends of chromosomes and help them remain stable. As they become shorter, and as their structural integrity weakens, the cells age and die quicker.

In recent years, shorter telomeres have become associated with a broad range of aging-related diseases, including many forms of cancer, stroke, vascular dementia, cardiovascular disease, obesity, osteoporosis and diabetes.

For five years, the researchers followed 35 men with localized, early-stage prostate cancer to explore the relationship between comprehensive lifestyle changes, and telomere length and telomerase activity. All the men were engaged in active surveillance.

Ten of the patients embarked on lifestyle changes that included:a diet high in fruits, vegetables and unrefined grains and low in fat and refined carbohydrates, moderate exercise such as walking 30 minutes daily for 6 days a week, stress reduction such as gentle yoga stretching, breathing and meditation and participating in weekly group support.

They were compared to the other 25 study participants who were not asked to make major lifestyle changes.

The group that made the lifestyle changes experienced a significant increase in telomere length of approximately 10 percent. Further, the more people changed their behavior by adhering to the recommended lifestyle program, the more dramatic their improvements in telomere length.

By contrast, the men in the control group who were not asked to alter their lifestyle had measurably shorter telomeres – nearly 3 percent shorter – when the five-year study ended. Telomere length usually decreases over time.

The researchers say the findings may not be limited to men with prostate cancer, and are likely to be relevant to the general population.

The new study is a follow up to a similar, three-month pilot investigation in 2008 in which the same participants were asked to follow the same lifestyle program. After three months, the men in the initial study exhibited significantly increased telomerase activity. The new study was designed to determine if the lifestyle changes would affect telomere length and telomerase activity in these men over a longer time period.