Telomere Testing in Los Angeles, CA

Telomeres can tell your doctor a story about how well your cells are aging. Their main job, however, is to act as a bodyguard to the end of your chromosomes. Why? You want your telomeres to be healthy, strong, and fighting against mutations, degeneration, and accelerated aging. With the development of telomere testing, we can analyze the structural change (such as damage or shortening) to the chromosomes that can lead to cell mutations and more. Our board-certified physician in pulmonary, internal, sleep, and geriatric medicine, Dr. Abraham Avi Ishaaya, offers telomere testing as preventive medicine and as an anti-aging service for his patients. In Los Angeles, CA, at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, you can request a consultation for telomere testing. You can have the test administered in the same appointment.

When telomeres appear shortened or frayed, your longevity and wellness may be at risk. Shorter telomeres can indicate that you are susceptible to developing metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer, cognitive impairment, and more. If you would like to discover more about your DNA health as you age, contact our office to schedule an appointment.

At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, our team is composed of specialists who understand the importance of telomere health and its connection to your overall wellness. We use the most advanced technology available to measure the length and health of your telomeres. Our goal is to provide the information needed to make smart lifestyle choices that improve your health and longevity. Telomere testing is safe, convenient, and does not require special preparation.

Anyone who wants a peek at their telomeres to get hard data on how their body is aging and their overall health is a great candidate for telomere testing. Additionally, good candidates for telomere testing are those who are willing to undergo a simple blood test and would like to find out what lifestyle changes they could make to boost their overall health and longevity. Telomere testing can also help identify risks for cancer, heart disease, metabolic disease, cognitive impairment, and more. During your appointment at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA, our team will learn about you as an individual and let you know if telomere testing would be a good option to help improve your quality of life.

Degeneration of a telomere at the end of your chromosomes can be accelerated by poor lifestyle choices. Whether you have one or more factors, having a sedentary lifestyle, being a smoker, living with unmanaged stress, gaining excessive amounts of weight, and/or eating nutrient-deficient foods can all decrease your lifespan and quality of life. When telomeres shorten, it signals your cells to regenerate less new, healthy cells or produce mutations (like cancer). 

A telomere test is a simple blood draw or a cheek swab that we can collect in our office. You can even have blood drawn for the telomere test at your consultation appointment. There is no need to fast. We will send your sample to a laboratory to be evaluated. It may take a few weeks to get the results, and we will call you when the results are ready.

At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, we recommend that our patients have their telomeres tested at least once a year to compare the length results, examine how lifestyle modifications are impacting the growth, and evaluate the effectiveness of supplements taken for 12 months. This gives Dr. Ishaaya data to base his treatment recommendations. It also presents you with information on how healthy your telomeres are trending (healthy or unhealthy).

Following your telomere testing at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, you should not need any rest or recovery time. You will be free to go about your daily life as usual after your appointment. The analysis will examine the rate of replacement and loss of cells. Your telomere score will be calculated and our Los Angeles, CA office will follow up with you based on results, as well as suggestions for improving telomere length if needed.

Treatment options will vary from patient to patient. We want to slow down the shortening process of your telomeres and increase your overall health. We can do this by supplementing your diet with necessary vitamins and minerals that can improve your overall health. There are also lifestyle changes you can make, such as:

• Losing weight
• Not smoking
• Getting plenty of rest
• Having positive outlets for stress
• Doing your part to reduce inflammation (oxidative stress) in your body
• Incorporating a consistent exercise routine
• Following the directives of your physicians
• Watching your blood glucose and cholesterol levels

You can ask for more information on other treatments when you meet with Dr. Ishaaya to follow-up on your results.

What does a telomere have to do with aging?

Your telomeres have a crucial role in the fate of your cells and the aging process because they adjust your cells' response to stress and replication of previous cell division and DNA damage. As your telomeres shorten, your cells aren't as vital and healthy as they used to be and become more prone to disease and the aging process.

Is telomere testing accurate?

While over-the-counter telomere tests don’t always give you a reliable reading with useful information, a specialized laboratory-grade telomere test done by Dr. Ishaaya can give you a more accurate measurement of your telomeres. Using this information, Dr. Ishaaya can work with you to create a personalized plan to help protect your telomeres for an improved quality of life.

What disease states are associated with shortened telomeres?

Shortened telomeres have been associated with premature aging and a host of disease states, including:

• Scarring of the lungs and liver
• Premature greying
• Diabetes
• Dementia
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• And more...

How can I lengthen my telomeres and slow down shortening?

Maintaining good overall health is one of the best ways you can protect your telomeres and help slow down the aging process. Here are seven tips:

1. Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean meats while avoiding processed foods
2. Maintain a healthy weight
3. Exercise regularly
4. Manage stress
5. Take vitamin and mineral supplements
6. Avoid smoking
7. Avoid alcohol, or drink in moderation

Does inflammation shorten telomeres?

Yes, chronic inflammation is believed to contribute to the shortening of telomeres. Chronic inflammation, which results from prolonged activation of the immune system, can induce oxidative stress in cells. This oxidative stress can, in turn, damage DNA, including telomeres.

How often should I have telomere testing done?

How frequently you should have telomere testing will depend on you as an individual. Some people opt for annual tests, while others might do it every few years. During your consultation, Dr. Ishaaya can talk to you about how often telomere testing is recommend to help improve your overall wellness.

What are your chromosomes revealing about your aging process? Find out with telomere testing at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers in Los Angeles, CA. Our medical team (under the leadership of Dr. Ishaaya, will tailor an anti-aging plan for you to maintain the length or slow down the rate at which your telomeres are shrinking. If you’re looking to get back to a more youthful-looking self, contact the office to schedule your appointment.