(17-11-12) Excess Alcohol Can Shorten Telomeres, Lead To Cancer

Recent studies presented by the American Association for Cancer Research have
shown that drinking excessive alcohol can lead directly to developing cancer
through damage to the ?end caps? of chromosomes called ?telomeres?. Telomeres
lend stability to the genetic material of cells. Damage to telomeres leads to
mutation of DNA and cancer cells to proliferate.

Telomere shortening occurs naturally with aging, but the constant assault from
oxidative stress caused by toxins like alcohol, smoking, etc, can cause this
shortening process, and genetic aging, to speed up. ?Heavy alcohol drinking has
been associated with cancer at multiple sites," said lead researcher Andrea
Baccarelli, M.D., Ph.D.

The researchers? study looked at excessive alcohol drinkers who consumed 4 or
more alcoholic drinks per day (or the equivalent per week). The results showed
that telomere lengths were dramatically shortened in the alcohol abusers ? half
the length - as compared to non-drinkers.


Source: Healthy Answeres Research Team

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