Cited by 157Mindfulness and Compassion InterventionsTelomeres, Telomerase, and SenescenceGenetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms

Changes in stress, eating, and metabolic factors are related to changes in telomerase activity in a randomized mindfulness intervention pilot study

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Daubenmier, Jennifer, Lin, Jue, Blackburn, Elizabeth, Hecht, Frederick M., Kristeller, Jean, Maninger, Nicole, Kuwata, Margaret, Bacchetti, Peter +2 more·2012·Psychoneuroendocrinology

Abstract

Background Psychological distress and metabolic dysregulation are associated with markers of accelerated cellular aging, including reduced telomerase activity and shortened telomere length. We examined whether participation in a mindfulness-based intervention, and, secondarily, improvements in psychological distress, eating behavior, and metabolic factors are associated with increases in telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).Methods We enrolled 47 overweight/obese women in a randomized waitlist-controlled pilot trial (n=47) of a mindfulness-based intervention for stress eating and examined changes in telomerase activity from pre- to post-intervention. In secondary analyses, changes in telomerase activity across the sample were examined in relation to pre- to post-intervention changes in psychological distress, eating behavior, and metabolic factors (weight, serum cortisol, fasting glucose and insulin, and insulin resistance).Results Both groups increased in mean telomerase activity over 4 months in intent-to-treat and treatment efficacy analyses (p<0.001). Nonsignificant trends showed that greater attendance was associated with increases in telomerase, and telomerase increases were 18% higher among 'as treated' participants compared to controls. Across groups, changes in chronic stress, anxiety, dietary restraint, dietary fat intake, cortisol, and glucose were negatively correlated with changes in telomerase activity. In exploratory analyses, decreases in dietary fat intake partially mediated the association between dietary restraint and telomerase activity with marginal significance.Conclusions While there was no clear effect of the intervention on telomerase activity, there was a striking pattern of correlations between improvements in psychological distress, eating behavior, and metabolic health and increases in telomerase activity. These findings suggest that telomerase activity may be in part regulated by levels of both psychological and metabolic stress.

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  1. Spielberger CD Gorsuch RL Lushene RE State Trait Anxiety Inventory Manual 1970 Consulting Psychologists Press, Inc. Palo Alto, CA
  2. Tomiyama AJ O’Donovan A Lin J Puterman E Lazaro A Chan J Does cellular aging relate to profiles of allostatic load? An examination of HPA axis regulation during reactivity and rest and telomere length in postmenopausal women Physiol. Behav 2011 in press

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Authors
Daubenmier, J., Lin, J., Blackburn, E., Hecht, F. M., Kristeller, J., Maninger, N., Kuwata, M., Bacchetti, P., Havel, P. J., & Epel, E.
Affiliations
  • University of California, San Francisco (US)
  • Indiana State University (US)
  • University of California, Davis (US)
Corresponding author
  • Daubenmier, Jennifer
  • Epel, Elissa
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2012-07
Volume
37
Issue
7
Pages
917-928
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2038793808
Cited by
157
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 8
FWCI
15.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • University of California, San Francisco
  • National Center for Research Resources (UL1RR024131)
  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (K01AT004199, P01AT005013)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Telomeres, Telomerase, and Senescence
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Aging › Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
Keywords
telomerase activity, mindfulness-based interventions, stress eating, psychological distress, dietary habits, dietary restraint, dietary fat intake, cortisol, insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, cellular aging, overweight and obesity, women, peripheral blood mononuclear cells
MeSH terms
Adult, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Eating, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Metabolism, Obesity, Pilot Projects, Stress, Psychological, Waiting Lists, Telomerase, Risk Reduction Behavior, Overweight, Compassionate Use Trials

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