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Telomere Length Could Predict Cold Virus Infection Risk

Why Some People Are More Likely To Catch A Cold

Why are some people crippled by colds, while others seem to never get sick? A new study suggests the answer could lie in our telomeres, the DNA "caps" at the end of our chromosomes that protect our genetic information from damage. Each time a cell divides, its telomeres shorten -- and short telomeres have been associated with aging and age-related diseases.

Researchers from Carnegie Mellon University found that the telomere length within immune cells seems to be associated with risk of infection by a cold-causing virus for people as young as 22 years. And the strength of the association only gets stronger with age.

"Our work suggests the possibility that telomere length is a relatively consistent marker across the life span and that it can start predicting disease susceptibility in young adulthood," study researcher Sheldon Cohen, a psychologist at the university, said in a statement.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, included 152 people between ages 18 and 55 whose white blood cell telomeres were measured for length (shorter telomeres are associated with aging, and a higher risk of death and illnesses that are more common in older age, like some cancers, dementia and heart disease). Then they were all exposed to the rhinovirus, a virus responsible for the common cold.

An association was found between white blood cell telomere length and susceptibility to the virus. Specifically, the shorter the telomere, the more likely a person was to be infected by the rhinovirus. However, the researchers didn't find an association in people ages 18 to 21 -- they only found the association in those ages 22 and older.

Researchers also found a particularly strong association between telomere length of the CD8CD28- T-cytolytic cell and susceptibility to the cold virus.

However, the researchers cautioned that the findings are still preliminary and more study is needed to explain what processes are occurring. Another caveat: one of the researchers is a cofounder of a telomere measurement company.

Past research in telomeres has shown that their length could also be affected by stress. A study in the journal PLoS ONE shows that people who experience high levels of stress from work are more likely to have short telomeres, and another study in the same journal also showed that phobic anxieties (fear of social situations, spiders, and the like) might also be associated with short telomeres.

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Before You Go

Hand Washing
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There may be no more promoted solution to avoiding the flu this year (besides the flu shot, of course) than diligent hand washing. As many as 80 percent of infections are transmitted via contact like sneezing, coughing or touching surfaces that have been sneezed or coughed on, says Tierno, and then touching "your mouth, eyes or nose, which are the conduits of viruses into the body." He recommends scrubbing before eating, drinking or touching your face, and disinfecting shared surfaces in the home (like the bathroom) and the office, like phones, computers and fridge door handles.
Sleep
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While you're off in dreamland, your body gets to work repairing cells and injuries you may have incurred during the normal day's wear and tear, says Tierno. Getting your seven to nine hours a night means your body can repair and heal itself and ward off infections. "If you don't get the appropriate sleep, that system is not operating and you're on a steady decline over time," he says.In fact, skimping on sleep is as disruptive to the immune system as stress, according to a 2012 study. And earlier research suggested that sleep patterns may play a role in a gene that helps fight off bacteria and viruses.
Exercise
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Getting your blood pumping regularly can increase the activity of a type of white blood cells that attacks viruses. Shoot for an hour a day, says Tierno -- but not necessarily all at once. "Even if it's walking around the office, up stairs, down stairs, to and from work -- it doesn't have to be continuous," he says.
Zinc
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Getting the proper amount of the right nutrients and minerals as part of a healthy diet "leaves the body in optimal condition to fight the battle," says Tierno. This means cutting back on sugary, fatty foods and upping your intake of vegetables, fruit and lean protein, he says. One of those nutrients that gets a particularly healthy reputation during cold and flu season is zinc, and for good reason. "Zinc interferes with viruses gaining full access to our cells," he says. "Zinc may block certain metabolic activity." While it's not the end-all cure, foods rich in zinc, like oysters and wheat germ, may offer some protection.
Garlic
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The anti-microbial properties of this pungent bulb (and its relative, the onion) can fight off certain bacteria and viruses, says Tierno, as can the compounds in other herbs and spices, like thyme.It's likely due to the compound allicin, which seems to block infections. Try it in your next bowl of soothing chicken soup!
Water
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Thankfully, most of us are inhabiting cozy-warm homes this winter, but those cranking radiators come with a downside. Indoor winter air is much dryer than our bodies would like. Without sufficient moisture, says Tierno, "immune system cells can't optimally work," so it's important to stay hydrated. (A humidifier can also help.)
Skipping Happy Hour
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Alcohol suppresses both the part of the immune system that protects you from coming down with something and the part that fights off the germs already in your system, so knocking a few too many back can put you at increased risk for catching the bug going around -- and having trouble kicking it.
Laughter
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A positive attitude can take you far -- even, maybe, to age 100. But along the way, a life of laughter and optimism could also help you sniffle through fewer bouts of the flu or colds. While there's much that's still not well understood about the process, it seems that certain immune cells are produced by a big belly laugh, says Tierno.
Massage
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A favorite solution for de-stressing, massage can also help you stay physically healthy. While there's been little research into exactly how it works, massage certainly increases circulation, which may help promote the general "state of wellness in the body," says Tierno. "Nutrients are passed around better, the blood flow is better," he says. "It's a very useful thing to get a massage."
Sex
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A 1999 study found that getting frisky a couple of times a week can boost immunoglobin A, an antibody that fights off colds. Just make sure your partner isn't already sick!
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