New research in Nature Genetics just dropped the most detailed map ever of how our “biological clocks”—leukocyte telomere length (LTL)—vary across the US!

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-026-02567-1

Geography Matters: Significantly longer telomeres were found in the West Coast and Central Midwest, while shorter telomeres clustered in the Southeast.

Health Links: Shorter telomeres were linked to higher risks of hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure, while longer telomeres showed associations with certain neoplasms.

This study highlights that biological aging isn’t just about the years—it’s a complex mix of your DNA, your sex, and even your ZIP code.

At DFM, we will continue to evaluate patients’ hsCRP for inflammatory burden, fasting insulin for metabolic health, and a CBC to assess their white blood cell population.