A recent study demonstrated that exposure of human cells to tocotrienols enabled these cells to extend the length of their telomeres, while also rejuvenating the telomerase enzyme that enables the telomere to be replaced as the cell splits and divides. At the same time, tocotrienols prevented damage to DNA.
A telomere is a DNA sequence that lies at the very end of a chromosome. It functions to not only protect the end of the chromosome and therefore the genes found within (thus preventing genomic instability), but also to insure maximum cell/DNA reproducibility.
Telomere length is associated with the longevity of cell reproduction or how many times a cell can divide before that cell dies. In other words, short telomeres are associated with cell aging, and the degradation of overall health. Telomeres can be shortened by oxidative or free radical damage.