Phobic Stress Linked To Shorter Telomeres

Too much stress is never a good thing; its linked with a bevy of poor health outcomes and can even age you faster

. Now, Harvard Medical School researchers have shown that phobic anxiety could hasten shortening of telomeres, the markers of aging.

The researchers found that phobic anxietyor the irrational fear of a certain situation or object (i.e. fear of flying or crowded spaces)is associated with a greater number of cells with short telomeres, similar to that which is found in people who suffer from chronic stress.

The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, analyzed telomere lengths in blood samples provided by 5,243 middle aged and elderly women who were divided into low and high phobic anxiety groups based on self-reports regarding phobic symptoms on a validated questionnaire. Women with high phobic anxiety had significantly shorter telomeres than women with low phobic anxiety, showing premature aging of telomeres that would correspond to a difference of about six years.

This study provides a key addition phobic anxiety to an emerging literature that posits mental distress and disorders as risk factors for accelerated aging, the researchers wrote.

Telomeres are the guards of genetic material within cells, and have been the focus of many scientific studies over the last several years because of their association with aging. They are repetitive nucleotide sequences at the end of chromosomes acting as caps to protect DNA from damage that occurs when cells divide. Over time, telomeres gradually shorten, leading to the DNA damage and cell death that is implicated in aging.

How to protect your DNA? General recommendations are to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, avoid smoking, and adopt stress-reducing habits. Supplementation with vitamins, minerals, fish oil omega-3 fatty acids, and potent amounts of stress-busting or telomere-supporting botanicals can also play a role.

And based on this study, it may be necessary to have your happy place geared up to escape to in your head, or other defense mechanism, when faced with situations that bring you panic. It might do more than get you through the situationit just might protect your telomeres and help your body stay younger.

For more information about this topic and other health and wealth related topics use the following websites:

www.facebook.com/health2money

www.isafun.com

www.billionsisagenix.com

www.health2money.com

www.weightlossbydetox.com

Reference: Okereke OI et al. High phobic anxiety is related to lower leukocyte telomere length in women. Plos One 2012;7:e40516. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040516

by: jerrynicholsaz

POST COMMENT

Bought Stress? Learn Liberation With A Rub Seat Recliner Tips To Reduce Stress What Can You Watch On Tv To Relax From Stress? Cctv Cameras Make Retailing A Lot Less Stressful Shopping Is A Stress-buster! Stress Counteracts Diets: Preventing Weight Sabotage Through Sport Remove Weight Without Adding To Stress De-stress In Phoenix - Spas Things You Need To Do Every Time For A Stress-free Vacation The Secret Five That Help De-stress During An Office Move Simple Stress Busting Tips You Can Use Today Time Management Tips - How To Reduce Stress 3 Ways By Using 2 Special Lists Suggestions For Handling Stress