mind boggling for beginners

I was as happy as anyone to see 2020 come to an end, as if that moment in time opened some kind of transcendental portal to hope. To optimism. To relief. I did not, however, expect 2021 to dawn with mind-boggling new awareness and awe for me. Or, for it to strike so soon. Hence, my New Year's resolution for 2021:

To Increase My Cellular Telomerase Levels

If, like me, you are not a molecular biologist, or a quantum physicist, you might not understand the structure or function of telomeres. You may not even have heard of them, even though they play a key role in cell survival, and therefore, in your well-being and health. 

To oversimplify: telomeres are stretches of DNA that prevent the double helix from unraveling so the entire length of the helix can be duplicated prior to cell division. (It's complicated...) The length of the telomere determines how many times DNA can be copied accurately and completely, yielding the proteins required for the generation of new cells. When frequent cell divisions deplete telomeres, subsequent copies of the cell's DNA produce abnormal proteins, leading to malfunction, and eventually, to death of the cell. To disease. And ultimately, to death of the organism.

You want your telomeres to be as long as possible if you hope to live a good long life.

This is where telomerase comes in. Telomerase is an enzyme whose function is to lengthen telomeres. Therefore, it increases the vitality and reproducibility of stem cells, enhances health, and extends life. Meaning, you also want your telomerase levels to be as high as possible if you hope to live a good long life!

The good news is life experiences can raise telomerase levels. Good nutrition, exercise, a positive outlook on life, dwelling in happiness and gratitude, serving others, and love, especially self-love, all enhance telomerase activity. Telomerase lengthens telomeres, and long telomeres promote a long and healthy life.

"The moment you change your perception

is the moment you rewrite 

the chemistry of your body."

~Bruce Lipton, Ph.D.~

The bad news is that telomerase activity can be inhibited by common environmental stressors such as exposure to adverse prenatal conditions, childhood abuse/neglect, domestic violence, PTSD, nutritional deficiencies, and isolation or lack of love. This puts a whole new spin on the importance of diet, exercise, socialization, community, and the role of the environment in health and longevity.

But here's the kicker: the primary influence controlling telomerase activity is believed, by some cell biologists, to reside in the mind! In other words, we can consciously influence our own telomerase activity. We have the means to lengthen our own telomeres. Who knew?

"I was exhilarated by the new realization

that I could change the character of my life

by changing my beliefs."

~Bruce Lipton, Ph.D.~

When it comes to health and longevity, it turns out we have the ability to orchestrate certain aspects of our being that we previously thought were beyond our control. Conditions that predict our impending senescence may be negotiable. So, perhaps, after all, there is reason for hope. For optimism. For relief.

To be fair, not everyone believes that our cells are affected by our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Not every biologist supports the idea that the brain affects the biochemistry of cells down to their molecular structure and function. But then, not long ago many scientists dismissed the idea that blood pressure, heart rate, and even body temperature could be modulated by meditation. They had to transport groups of forward thinking Tibetan monks to research laboratories in the US, and hook them up to monitors that recorded the very phenomena they so rigorously questioned. They were mind-boggled by what they observed. The monks were able to lower their heart rates and blood pressure, and to raise their core body temperatures even in subfreezing conditions. Just by thinking about it.

Science unfolds of its own accord. Slowly. Fitfully. Haltingly. It unnerves me a bit to realize how many years I devoted to learning what has already become obsolete, or been proven wrong, or been questioned anew. It boggles my mind to contemplate the myths we embraced, the mystery that continues to unfold, and the masterpiece it reveals. You may not understand the science of cell division, or what drives it. It may be hard to grasp how it affects your health and well being, and it might seem absurd that you have any control over it. If it interests you, though...if you're curious about it...I've been studying "The Biology of Belief" by Bruce Lipton, Ph.D. If there is one thing I have learned, this is it:

"Your body's ability to heal

is greater than anyone 

has permitted you to believe."

~HEAL Documentary~

Or, maybe it's this:

"The highest form of ignorance

is when you reject something

you don't know anything about."

~Wayne Dyer~

Wish me luck with my telomeres. Good luck with yours!

jan