In 2009, the Australian biochemist Elizabeth Blackburn received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering telomerase, an enzyme that “protects chromosomes against aging.” Chromosomes are structures located in the cell nucleus that generally come in 23 pairs and house the DNA, or genetic material. Telomeres -protective structures located at the ends of chromosomes- shorten progressively each time cells divide to produce daughter cells, a process known as aging; when it is no longer possible for them to shorten further, this marks the end of the cell. Telomerase counteracts the shortening of the telomere, meaning it promotes cellular longevity.
It has been shown that negative external factors such as chronic stress, severe anguish, depression or a low socioeconomic level, among others, contribute to this aging process, while, conversely, positive external factors such as kindness, empathy and certain forms of meditation -reducing stress and increasing positive mental states- promote the maintenance of telomeres and, therefore, allow life to be prolonged. In other words, our attitude and behaviour have effects on cellular aging.
It is very clear that genes play an important role -between 20 and 30%-, but there is no doubt that external factors and our habits, such as stress, diet, lifestyle, attitude and behaviour, are what contribute most to our health and, in this case, to the speed at which telomeres degrade -the aging of cells-, which varies greatly from one person to another. Our modern societies, with their frantic pace, have largely internalised, or not, the first three factors as beneficial -which does not mean they are always applied-; however, it is not widely known that kindness, a positive attitude and empathy reduce aging from a genetic point of view, which is why we should also strengthen them as part of our healthy habits. This great scientific discovery makes us think about care, about respect for others, about respect for ourselves, and about the power that words hold.
Last February 11th marked the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. La Companyia Verda wants to celebrate and encourage the work of this biochemist and of so many other women who contribute to the advancement of science and technology, and also to promote care in the words we use, encouraging “La Companyia,” empathy, warmth, emotional support and kindness as positive feelings for our health and the health of others.
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Source:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3057175/
