In this episode of YOU: The Owner's Manual, Dr. Michael Roizen interviews Dr. Elissa Epel, co-author of The Telomere Effect, discussing how lifestyle choices can influence telomere health and longevity. Dr. Elissa Epel is a renowned health psychologist specializing in stress, ageing, and obesity. She directs UCSF’s Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center and is the associate director of the Center for Health and Community.

Key Points:

Dr. Elissa Epel explains how telomeres are key indicators of biological ageing and how managing stress, practicing mindfulness, and adopting healthier habits can protect telomere length and extend healthspan. Her insights underscore the importance of both individual and societal efforts in promoting longevity.

• Introduction to Telomeres: Telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, shorten as we age. Epel explains how their length can be influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
• Ageing and Telomere Variability: Telomeres shorten at different rates in various tissues, but are correlated across the body. This variability can be influenced by stress, mindset, and daily habits.
• Impact of Stress on Ageing: Chronic stress accelerates telomere shortening. Epel highlights the importance of stress management practices like mindfulness and exercise to slow ageing and improve overall health.
• Mindful Eating and Metabolic Health: Managing stress through mindfulness can help regulate emotional eating and improve glucose control, which is more important for long-term health than mere weight loss.
• Caloric Restriction and Telomeres: While extreme caloric restriction does not appear to lengthen telomeres, intermittent fasting might have potential, though more research is needed.
• Societal Impact on Healthspan: Epel emphasizes the need for societal changes, such as creating healthier environments and reducing unhealthy habits, to improve collective healthspan and quality of life.