In October 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported a study showing that individuals over 60 with shorter telomeres are three times more likely to die from heart disease and eight times more likely to die from infections. [1] Telomere shortening is associated with accelerated aging and a higher risk of all-cause mortality. [2] For decades, scientists have been searching for ways to slow down telomere shortening. A simple method has now been discovered to reduce the process of telomere shortening.
A clinical study showed that patients taking a selenium-CoQ10 combination for four years had a significantly reduced mortality rate from cardiovascular causes by 49% compared to those taking a placebo. [3] A recent sub-study utilizing data from these participants was published in the medical journal Nutrients. Scientists found that the combination of selenium and coenzyme Q10 significantly reduced telomere wear in the cells of the subjects. [4] This is a potentially game-changing development and provides evidence for the benefits of selenium and coenzyme Q10. In addition to their known benefits, preventing telomere shortening would be enormous.
What are Telomeres?
Telomeres are protective caps on genetic material. Each chromosome (a long, intricately folded strand of DNA present in every cell) has telomeres at both ends. They help protect the DNA structure and maintain the stability of genetic material. [2,5] In early life, telomeres tend to be long and healthy. However, over time, as cells age, telomeres shorten. When they become too short, chromosomes are easily damaged and dysfunctional. This leads to cellular aging and ultimately death. [5,6] Scientists have demonstrated that longer, intact telomeres are associated with good cellular health and may be linked to longevity. Conversely, telomere shortening is associated with aging and chronic diseases. [2,6,7] For these reasons, preventing telomere shortening is a major interest in anti-aging research.
Selenium and Coenzyme Q10
Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential for the normal function of certain enzymes, particularly those involved in defending against oxidative stress and its damage to proteins and cellular DNA. Many elderly individuals have low selenium levels. [8] Observational studies have shown that low selenium levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. [9] Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble antioxidant that is naturally present in every cell of our body. It is crucial for mitochondrial health, as mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, providing the energy necessary for cell survival and function. [10] After the age of 20, the production of coenzyme Q10 begins to decline, and elderly individuals often experience insufficient levels of coenzyme Q10. [10,11] Although selenium and CoQ10 play different roles in promoting health, they are closely linked. In other words, they work better together. When CoQ10 provides energy to the body, it becomes inactive. An enzyme that can convert inactive CoQ10 back to its active form (called ubiquinol) requires selenium. [10] At the same time, coenzyme Q10 is necessary for the proper incorporation of selenium into essential proteins in the body. [12]
Preventing Telomere Shortening
Several past trials have evaluated the effects of selenium and coenzyme Q10 on mitochondrial, cardiovascular, and metabolic health. One trial involved a four-year randomized study of 675 elderly individuals with low selenium levels, who were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or a combination treatment of 200 micrograms of selenium and 200 milligrams of coenzyme Q10. Compared to the placebo, the treatment group had a significantly reduced cardiovascular mortality rate. [11] A recent sub-study of this trial assessed the telomere length of participants from the earlier study. [4] In the selenium-CoQ10 group, the rate of telomere shortening was significantly reduced compared to the placebo group. While the telomeres in the placebo group continued to shorten, the average length of telomeres in the selenium-CoQ10 users remained stable or even slightly increased. The ability to prevent telomere shortening in elderly individuals over four years is an extraordinary finding. Even more impressively, in this study, shorter telomeres were associated with more cardiovascular diseases and shorter lifespans, while supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q10 can maintain telomere length and reduce cardiovascular mortality.
Protecting Telomeres and Reducing Cardiovascular Mortality
· Telomeres protect the genetic material in every cell of the body. As we age, they tend to shorten, and this change is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases.
· A study on elderly individuals with low selenium levels found that oral selenium and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can slow or prevent telomere shortening during a four-year study.
· During a 12-year follow-up period, the mortality rate from cardiovascular causes was significantly reduced in treated patients.
Better Heart Health
A clinical trial found that elderly individuals taking selenium and coenzyme Q10 for four years had a lower mortality rate from cardiovascular causes (including heart disease, stroke, and heart failure), with mortality reduced by more than half. [12] Researchers continued to collect data from participants, and the results of two subsequent sub-studies remained consistent regarding cardiovascular mortality. Ten years after the trial ended, the selenium-CoQ10 group still had a 49% lower likelihood of dying from cardiovascular causes. [11] Even 12 years after the treatment period ended, this benefit continued to persist. A second follow-up analysis found a 41% risk reduction in the active treatment group compared to the placebo group. [13] These benefits remained even when observing subgroups with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
A study on elderly individuals showed that taking selenium and coenzyme Q10 can prevent telomere shortening. Telomeres protect the genetic material in cells. Their shortening is associated with an increased risk of disease and mortality. During a follow-up period of up to 12 years, patients receiving selenium-CoQ10 treatment were able to prevent telomere shortening while also experiencing lower mortality rates from cardiovascular causes. This was true even for those with pre-existing conditions.
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