Mendelian randomization and colocalization analyses reveal an association between diet consumption and altered telomere length in leukocytes.

ABSTRACT: Observational studies suggest dietary factors influence leukocyte telomere length (LTL), yet causality remains unproven. Using Mendelian randomization (MR) and colocalization analyses, we investigated causal relationships between 38 dietary phenotypes and LTL to clarify conflicting evidence on Mediterranean diet (MD) components (alcohol, nuts) and biological aging. Genetic instruments for dietary exposures were derived from genome-wide association studies data. Univariate MR analyses were conducted using inverse-variance weighted models, supplemented by sensitivity analyses (MR-Egger, weighted median) to address pleiotropy. Multivariable MR adjusted for correlated dietary factors, while colocalization analysis (posterior probability > 0.80) identified shared genetic variants. Reverse MR an

SUBMITTER: Wang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12643740 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature