Mahaiwe Chiropractic, Health & Nutrition Services

A study from researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences looked at telomeres-lengths of DNA sequences that shorten as cells replicate and age. A telomere is a region of repetitive DNA at the end of a chromosome, which protects the end of the chromosome from deterioration. Consequently, telomere length is thought to be a marker of biological aging. In normal cells, with each replication, the telomeres shorten, and when the telomeres have been totally consumed, the cell is destroyed (apoptosis).  Thus aging and the finite lifespan of cells is linked.  The lead researcher of the study noted that multivitamin use may affect telomere length via modulation of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.  The study concluded that telomere length was over 5% longer amongst daily multivitamin users and recommended further investigation to understand "the role of multivitamin use and telomere length and its implication in the etiology of chronic disease."

Xu Q, Parks CG, DeRoo LA, Cawthon RM, Sandler DP, Chen H.  "Multivitamin use and telomere length in women." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2009, Volume 89, Number 6, Pages 1857-1863.