Key takeaways
- Telomeres are combinations of DNA and protein at the end of a chromosome that get shorter as you get older.
- Some research has linked shorter telomere length to an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and shorter lifespan.
- Not only is there no standard for what constitutes a “healthy” telomere length by age, there are also multiple methods for evaluating telomere length and often significant variations in the results.
You may have heard about at-home DNA testing and might have even sent a cheek swab or saliva sample off in the mail to learn more about your ancestry or disease risk. Now, a growing number of companies are offering over-the-counter tests to measure your telomeres and provide insights into how your body is aging.
