Scientists have found that lack of sleep activates the aging process at the cellular level, even in children.

Telomeres - the terminal regions of the chromosomes - become shorter every time a cell divides. When they become too short, the cell loses its ability to divide and “renew” the body, and this is a sure sign of aging.

Scientists have already examined adults and proved that the length of telomeres depends on the fullness of sleep.. Now, experts from Princeton University wanted to test this theory on children.. They took information on the average duration of sleep of 9-year-old children from different cities in the USA and studied their DNA.. It turned out that if a child does not get enough sleep for 1 hour every night, his telomeres become shorter by 1.5%.

Short telomeres are also associated with the development of cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline.. Although such diseases should be feared only at an older age, those who are sleep deprived in childhood are more likely to be exposed to them..

Scientists say that it’s just as unprofitable for adults to sleep too long. But the extra hours of sleep will not harm children. Although scientists have yet to figure out whether telomeres will lengthen in such a case. They say that the optimal duration of sleep for children is 9-11 hours.

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