Reversing Obesity Also Reverses Premature Aging At The Genetic Level

Stanford University researchers who analyzed genetic data from 51 patients who had undergone bariatric (weight loss) surgery found that telomere length – chromosomal biomarkers that play a role in cellular aging – increased. This was in addition to declines in body mass index, excess weight, bad cholesterol, and inflammation levels. Researchers found a significant positive correlation between weight loss and telomere length and in increases in HDL, the so called "good cholesterol". The findings, which need further study, indicate that premature aging caused by obesity can be reversed at a genetic level through bariatric surgery and other means.