Smoking, Obesity Speed Up Aging

[klah]

http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2005/06/13/hscout526273.html

Published in the June 14 early online edition of The Lancet, researchers examined the white blood cells of 1,100 British women between 18 and 76 years old. The cells of obese women and smokers were found to be different than those of thin non-smokers.

The difference was in the length of telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes. Each time a cell divides (or ages), the length of telomeres shortens, leaving the cell a little more open to damage.

The telomeres of obese women and smokers were shorter than those of thinner, clean-lung women. In fact, the leaner the women, the longer the telomeres.

"Our results emphasize the pro-aging effects of obesity and cigarette smoking," said researchers.

Do you think the study will actually change peoples behavior? I doubt it, fat drug addicts are already showing a complete disregard for their own health and well being.

 

[shud]

Captain Obvious to the rescue.

 

[Heisenberg]

Another useful study from the people at the No Sh!t Institute for Health.

 

[StageLeft]

Do you think the study will actually change peoples behavior?

Not much. Everyone knows being fat and smoking is bad but most people are too weak of character to lose weight if they're fat, or stop smoking if they already do.