Hormonal
High cumulative inflammatory load, specifically the combination of elevated Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), is associated with significantly increased odds of short leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in older adults.
In older adults, high levels of specific inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) are linked to shorter telomeres, a marker of biological aging. Standard CRP tests may not capture this risk. Managing chronic inflammation through lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, stress reduction) may help preserve telomere length, although this study is observational and does not prove causation.
Results suggest that cumulative inflammatory load, as indexed by the combination of high levels of IL-6 and TNF-a, is associated with increased odds for short LTL.
Why this rating
Large-scale observational study (n=1,962) with rigorous adjustment for confounders, though cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
Source
Cumulative Inflammatory Load Is Associated with Short Leukocyte Telomere Length in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
Aoife O’Donovan et al. · PLoS ONE · 2011
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0019687
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