TAT (Telomere Analysis Technology®) is a technology that measures how someone’s cellular aging process is, analyzing the percentage of short telomeres in individual cells.
Thus, it is a biomarker to know the general health status of the patient. It measures the protective ends of chromosomes (telomeres), which are found in each cell. In this way the biological age can be calculated and compared with the chronological age, knowing whether you are aging faster or, ideally, slower.
What are telomeres and why are they important in cellular aging?
In any organism, aging is the decrease in the number and function of cells. Each time a cell replicates, the ends that protect the chromosomes (telomeres) become shorter, to the point where the cells can no longer divide. These cells with short telomeres either begin a process of senescence or enter apoptosis and die.
Telomere length depends on genetics, environmental factors and the patient’s lifestyle.
Why is it important to measure telomeres involved in aging?
The results of the TAT test allow the patient to know whether he/she is aging at a normal, accelerated or slow pace, influenced by lifestyle (exercising, eating a healthy diet, avoiding stress…). This will allow to know if it is necessary to introduce certain habits and a change in lifestyle, in order to stay as healthy as possible.
On the other hand, the test is a risk biomarker that serves as an early warning of heart disease, certain cancers or diabetes, among other pathologies. This means that it allows early action to be taken in the event of such positive results.
What is TAT and who should undergo it?
The test is simple and is performed with a simple blood draw. An optional questionnaire is included to make the results more personalized. There is no set age to undergo it, but the earlier an “age management” program is done, the better the patient will be able to manage their health and the better the Aesthetic Medicine specialists will be able to help them stay young and healthy.