that's not a telomere is it?it's like -- if you think of a shoelace as being chromosomes, the chromosome carries lots of genetic information. and the little tips of the chromosomes have to be protected, and that's what the telomere is. and there are literally trillions of cells that we have, lots and lots of little chromosomes. but think of them as all being just lots of little tiny shoelaces whose tips need to be protected. if they're not, the genetic material becomes unprotected. basically your cells won't renew you throughout life properly if the telomeres worn down. a telomere sort of wears down slowly as we get older through our decades of life. when they do, when they've gone too far, when they've worn too far, then the cells flow longer can replenish our tissues throughout our bodies. the thing is at that wearing down doesn't just happen at a rate that is the same for everybody. and what the book is about is you who that rate can be slowed, that helps to slow down your aging in this kind of way that relate

. >> reporter: the simple genetic test measures the links of our telomeres.omeres seen here in green protect the ends of chromosomes, kind of like the plastic tip at the end of shoelaces. these tips tend to shorten and fray with age. but stress, bad diet, lack of sleep, smoking, drinking, negative thoughts, strained relationships, can all make them shorten and fray faster. and that can lead to premature aging. >> all of this relates to the role that telomeres play in aging and age-related diseases including cancer. >> reporter: the test called teloyears reveals whether your cellular age is younger or older than your actual age and the results are in. >> oh, my god! >> reporter: my cellular age is 20. that's half my actual age. as for my mother? >> we are the same age. [ laughter ] >> reporter: her cellular age is also 20. >> well, i was thrilled. screamed. >> reporter: our greek heritage may play a role. as for jimmy? >> it says my age in teloyears is older than my actual age. >> reporter: jimmy's actual age is 38. but his cellular age? 58. the good news? >>