Effect of a lifestyle intervention on telomere length: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled intervention studies
PubMed 35760212 · doi:10.1016/j.mad.2022.111694
What was done
Four databases were searched for studies reporting leukocyte telomere length (TL) before and after a lifestyle intervention. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted on within-group TL changes (before vs. after intervention) and between-group TL differences across 20 included studies (2,995 participants, mean age 50.3 years, 77% women; 2,045 intervention, 950 control), with 19 studies included in the quantitative meta-analysis.
What was found
Baseline telomere lengths were similar between intervention and control groups. The physical activity ± diet group demonstrated an increase in TL from baseline (Effect size 0.17, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.31, p = 0.020), whereas TL shortened in the control group (-0.32, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.02, p = 0.037). Post-intervention TL was significantly longer in the lifestyle intervention group compared to controls (0.24, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.40, p = 0.004). Meta-regression showed combining strength and endurance exercise increased TL more than endurance or strength alone.
Why it matters
This review provides quantitative synthesis showing that combined physical exercise and dietary interventions can prevent or reverse leukocyte telomere shortening, especially when endurance and strength training are combined.
Limits
The abstract does not state the proportion of randomized versus non-randomized trial designs, intervention durations, or participant adherence rates. The sample was disproportionately female (77%), and specific assay methods and dietary components were not detailed in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Associative studies show that psychological stress, sedentary lifestyle, low vitamin D levels, low omega-3 levels, and high sugar intake correlate with shorter telomere length in humans.