Study: Green neighborhoods protect us on a cellular level

A new study from North Carolina State University researchers concludes that green space in our community yards, parks, and public spaces has a positive impact on a genetic marker associated with stress.

The markers are called telomeres, which are sections of repetitive DNA found at each end of a chromosome to protect it from damage. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres become more worn down until they become so short the cell cannot divide properly, and it dies. The health of telomeres is an important marker of biological age, and stress can impact how quickly telomeres wear down.

To conduct the research, scientists analyzed data from the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years 1999-2002. This is a nationally representative study that assessed the health of the U.S. population using physical exams and interviews. By taking into account the demographic data, length of the participants’ telomeres, and geographic location, the research team calculated the amount of greenspace in each person’s neighborhood and how that related to their telomere length.

Scientists found that the more green space people had in their neighborhoods, the longer their telomeres. This, researchers say, was the good news. The bad news is that when accounting for other neighborhood characteristics like air pollution, the positive benefits of green space diminished.

For more information, sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation here. To learn more about creating the yard of your dreams, visit TurfMutt.com. Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show. Here is a link to download the International Backyarding Fact Book, to learn why spending time in our yards and community parks is good for us…and the planet.