Scarring Childhood Leaves Scars

Considering the fact that I have been studying for my genetics exam for a few days now, I figured I would post about a new, interesting discovery made within the field of genetics.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for children to experience rough, sometimes traumatic times during their early lives. While many of these children suffer from damaging emotional problems, these traumatic experiences may be leaving even deeper, more severe scars. Researchers believe found that abused or bullied children tend to have shorter telomeres, structures found at the tip of chromosomes. The problem with shortening telomeres is that the length of one's telomeres is believed to be linked to how long you will live as well as health problems. Each time cells divide, telomeres reduce in size. Thus, as you age, your telomeres get shorter. Scientists are considering stress as an accelerator of telomere loss, leading to increased risk of developing diseases at an earlier age. For those who can relate to childhood violence or traumatic experiences, there is hope for a healthy future. Studies show that making healthful changes that reduce stress, such as eating healthy and exercising, can slow down the rate of telomere loss. With beach season quickly approaching, daily exercise and a healthy diet won't just get you in shape but give you even more years to enjoy the summer sun!