What are telomeres and aging?

Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from damage during cell division. Over time, as cells divide, telomeres shorten, which is associated with aging and increased susceptibility to diseases.

Andrew Huberman highlights the controversial relationship between telomere length and longevity. While initial excitement suggested that longer telomeres might be linked to increased lifespan, subsequent studies have brought mixed results, particularly in humans 1. There's ongoing research on how to potentially extend telomere length, including approaches using peptides like epitalin, although the evidence is primarily from animal studies and lacks comprehensive clinical trial confirmation for humans.

Overall, while telomeres are a significant marker in aging research, their exact role and how to manipulate them for better health or longevity remain areas of active exploration.