A glance at … telomeres, oxidative stress, antioxidants, and biological aging

• Increased systemic oxidative stress contributes to accelerated telomere attrition.
• Accelerated telomere attrition is associated with accelerated cellular aging, increased risk for degenerative diseases, and reduced longevity.
• Reducing systemic oxidative stress attenuates accelerated telomere attrition and may reduce the risk for degenerative diseases and reduced longevity.
• Increasing the intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and supplementing the diet with α-lipoic acid; eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid; trans-resveratrol; N-acetylcysteine; lutein; vitamins C, D, and E; and γ-tocotrienol decreases cellular oxidative stress and may decelerate biological aging.