Junk Food Linked to Changes in Aging-Marker in Chromosomes

An online medical conference conducted recently shows that people who eat a lot of industrially processed junk foods are more likely to exhibit changes in their DNA strands and proteins called telomeres.

People who consumed three or more servings of junk food have telomeres, found on the end of chromosomes, to be shorter than those people who rarely consumed such foods. This was reported by scientists at the European and International Conference on Obesity. 

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Telomere shortening is involved in all aspects of cellular- aging. Telomere length symbolizes our biological age as opposed to our chronological age. This study shows that diet is an important factor in driving cell-aging.

The authors warned that although the correlation is strong, the causal relationship between eating highly processed foods and diminished telomeres still remains speculative. 

Each human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes that has our genetic code. 

Although telomeres do not carry genetic information, they are vital in the preservation of the stability and integrity of chromosomes and, by extension, the DNA that all the cells in our body relies on to function.

Telomeres shortening happens with agiing. But other factors such as obesity, stress, poor diet and lack of execise can also play a role in its shortening. 

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As we grow older, our telomeres shorten naturally because each time a cell divides, part of the telomere is lost. This length reduction has long been recognized as a marker of biological age. 

Eventually, telomeres become too short to do their job properly, causing our cells to age and stop functioning well. In conclusion, telomeres act as the aging clock in every cell.

Is processed food real food?

Ultra-processed foods are those industrially manufactured substances composed of some mix of oils, fats, sugars, starch, and proteins that contain little if any whole or natural foods. 

Foods prepared with artificial flavorings, colorings, emulsifiers, preservatives, and other additives increase shelf-life and profit margins, however, this results to nutritionally poor foods compared to less-processed alternatives.

Studies show strong correlation between highly-processed foods and diseases such as hypertension, obesity, depression, type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. 

Most of these conditions are often age-related and is linked to oxidative stress and inflammation known to influence telomere length.

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Scientists, Maria Bes-Rastrollo and Amelia Marti, both of the University of Navarra in Spain, wanted to have an in-depth study into the suspected connection between the regular consumption of highly processed junk food and shrinking telomeres. 

Marti and colleagues studied the health data of nearly 900 people aged 55 or older who provided DNA samples in 2008. They then provided the detailed data regarding their eating habits every two years thereafter.

The 645 men and 241 women were equally divided into 4 groups, depending on their consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Those belonging to the high-intake group were more likely to have a family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and abnormal blood fats; they also showed shortened telomeres.

The detailed findings were published earlier this year in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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