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European Journal of Nutrition
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition 1/2018

Open Access 01-02-2018 | Original Contribution

Diet quality and telomere length in older Australian men and women

Authors: Catherine M. Milte, Aaron P. Russell, Kylie Ball, David Crawford, Jo Salmon, Sarah A. McNaughton

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Purpose

Telomere length is a biomarker of cellular ageing, with longer telomeres associated with longevity and reduced risk of chronic disease in older age. Consumption of a healthy diet may contribute to longevity via its impact on cellular ageing, but studies on diet and telomere length to date have been limited and their findings equivocal. The aim of this study was to examine associations between three indices of diet quality and telomere length in older men and women.

Methods

Adults aged 57–68 years participating in the Wellbeing, Eating and Exercise for a Long Life (WELL) study in Victoria, Australia (n = 679), completed a postal survey including an 111-item food frequency questionnaire in 2012. Diet quality was assessed via three indices: the Dietary Guideline Index, the Recommended Food Score, and the Mediterranean Diet Score. Relative telomere length was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Associations between diet quality and telomere length were assessed using linear regression adjusted for covariates.

Results

After adjustment for age, sex, education, smoking, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI), there were no significant associations between diet quality and relative telomere length.

Conclusions

In a sample of older adults residing in Victoria, Australia, men and women aged 57–68 years with better-quality diets did not have longer telomeres. Further investigation in longitudinal studies will determine whether diet can influence telomere length over time in an ageing population.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Diet quality and telomere length in older Australian men and women
Authors
Catherine M. Milte
Aaron P. Russell
Kylie Ball
David Crawford
Jo Salmon
Sarah A. McNaughton
Publication date
01-02-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1326-6

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