The Telomere Effect

Blackburn won a 2009 Nobel Prize for her discovery of telomeres: caps at the end of each strand of DNA that play an essential role in the ageing process. Epel is a psychologist who researches specific lifestyle habits which protect our telomeres, thus slowing down disease and lengthening life. In this compelling scientific guide, these eminent experts set out the things we can do to keep us vital and disease-free, from which foods to eat to the power of our minds over matter

Nobel-prizewinning biologist Elizabeth Blackburn and health psychologist Elissa Epel distil reams of research for this smart, invigorating how-to book on maintaining cell longevity ... As a clear, detailed line-up of key lifestyle changes and their biological implications, this is a winner

The Telomere Effect, however, is worth more serious attention. It is co-authored by Elizabeth Blackburn, a Nobel Prize winner for her research into telomeres, the part of our chromosomes that determine how quickly our cells age and die. This is her attempt, along with the health psychologist Elissa Epel's, to translate the scientific lessons thus learned into 'language for the general reader'. She has done a compelling job. The book's central message is that telomeres shorten as we age, and this underlying mechanism contributes to most diseases of ageing. The good news is that your lifestyle choices can do a lot to counteract it ... the argument here is refreshingly sensible and convincing. I predict that the T-word will soon be on everyone's lips.

Positive advice on diet, stress management and exercise for a longer, happier and healthier life