251: The Telomere Effect: Cell Aging, Stress & Mind-Body Practices

251: The Telomere Effect: Cell Aging, Stress & Mind-Body Practices

Science has linked meditation with longevity through the study of telomeres, the chromosomal caps that are an indication of cell health. By mitigating our stress response specifically, research indicates that mindful practices down-regulate our stress response and up-regulate telomerase production, an important protein for the health of these chromosomal caps. What does all that mean? Basically, it means meditation can make you live longer in the future and live healthier right now. On this week's Yoga Talk Show, you'll meet Dr. Elissa Epel, one of the leading researchers on stress, cell aging, and telomeres.

------------

Listen & Learn:

  • How telomeres are the protective caps on the ends of our chromosomes, just like the plastic tip on a shoelace
  • How short telomeres release cytokines or die—both of which are very negative
  • How chronic inflammation (from cytokines) can contribute or even cause diseases and illnesses
  • Why meditation can mitigate stress response and be protective of telomeres
  • Why abuse, violence and trauma can literally shorten your life
  • Why vagal nerve tone can reduce the stress response

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Elissa Epel is psychologist who studies stress, aging, and obesity. She is the director of UCSF's Aging, Metabolism, and Emotion Center (AME) She consults to the National Institutes of Health on various initiatives related to human behavior and how to change it, and is on the Steering Council of the Mind and Life Institute that supports research on contemplative practices. She has been studying stress and biology for almost 20 years now.

Nutritional Tip of the Week:

  • Protein

Links & References from the Show:

Got Questions?

Like the Show?

Thanks to our sponsor:

Hurts So Good Massage Balls allow you to release tension, break up sliding surface dysfunctions, and improve circulation in and around your muscles and tendons, ligaments, and fascia. In our modern lives, our movement patterns tend to be very habitual. We sit, stand, drive, and walk; but we often lack the dynamic range of motion that our bodies are designed for.

Learn More

Episoder(668)

650: The Power of CBT and Hypnotherapy with Daniel Fryer

650: The Power of CBT and Hypnotherapy with Daniel Fryer

If you break your arm, your next steps are clear. The doctor will put it in a cast for a couple months, and then afterwards, you'll nurse it back to strength and all will be fine. If your brain is bro...

11 Des 202443min

649: Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis with Garth McLean

649: Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis with Garth McLean

Every form of exercise has its strengths. Yoga is particularly good at reducing inflammation, training the nervous system, and reducing stress and stress hormones. For someone struggling with the auto...

4 Des 202435min

648: The Power of Hypnosis with Dr. David Spiegel

648: The Power of Hypnosis with Dr. David Spiegel

If you're going through a mental health crisis—whether it's depression, anxiety, stress, or overwhelm—the default advice you'll likely hear is to see a therapist. That's great advice, but in reality, ...

27 Nov 202441min

647: Rethinking Retirement with Campbell Gerrish and Caroline Brecker

647: Rethinking Retirement with Campbell Gerrish and Caroline Brecker

Imagine having a meaningful, rewarding career that spanned 20 or 30 years, or perhaps several different careers over 30 or 40 years, each contributing to a wealth of diverse experiences and hard-earne...

20 Nov 202440min

646: Hypopressive Training - Deep Core Strength with Trista Zinn

646: Hypopressive Training - Deep Core Strength with Trista Zinn

When most people think about a strong core, we usually picture six-pack muscles. While that's part of the story, there's much more to it. The deeper core muscles, like the transverse abdominis, multif...

13 Nov 202437min

645: How to Become Panic Proof with Dr. Nicole Cain

645: How to Become Panic Proof with Dr. Nicole Cain

Stress, anxiety, and overwhelm are issues many of us face daily. But the real challenge is knowing what to do when you're wired but exhausted, when worries keep you from being productive, and worst of...

6 Nov 202441min

644: Get to Know Your Body with Gil Hedley

644: Get to Know Your Body with Gil Hedley

Pop quiz: how many bones in your body can you name? How many muscles? Do you know the difference between tendons, ligaments, and fascia? We are all walking around with a supercomputer between our ears...

30 Okt 202445min

643: Mindfulness for Busy People with Willem Kuyken

643: Mindfulness for Busy People with Willem Kuyken

What if you were more present in your life—at work, at home, with the people and projects that mean the most to you? What if you spent less time ruminating about the past and worrying about the future...

23 Okt 202432min

Populært innen Fakta

fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
mikkels-paskenotter
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
foreldreradet
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
treningspodden
jakt-og-fiskepodden
rss-bisarr-historie
rss-kull
takk-og-lov-med-anine-kierulf
rss-sunn-okonomi
fryktlos
sinnsyn
hagespiren-podcast
rss-kunsten-a-leve
level-up-med-anniken-binz
gravid-uke-for-uke
hverdagspsyken
rss-var-forste-kaffe