What Is DNA Repair?

DNA repair is the natural process your body uses to fix damage to its DNA. DNA is the instruction manual inside every cell that tells your body how to grow, function, and stay healthy. Over time, DNA can become damaged by things like UV light, pollution, stress, or simply from everyday activity. DNA repair helps protect you from ageing, illness, and diseases like cancer by keeping these instructions accurate and working properly [1].

Why does DNA get damaged?

DNA damage happens all the time. Some common causes include:

Sunlight (especially ultraviolet rays) [2]
Pollution or harmful chemicals [3]
Smoking or alcohol [4]
Poor diet and lack of sleep [5] [6]
Stress or chronic inflammation [7]
Natural wear and tear from normal cell activity

How does DNA repair work?

Cells have special tools, called repair enzymes, that search for and fix mistakes in DNA. There are different types of repair processes depending on the damage. Some common ones include:

Base excision repair – fixes small, everyday damage to DNA
Nucleotide excision repair – repairs larger damage from sunlight or chemicals
Mismatch repair – corrects copying errors when cells divide
Double-strand break repair – fixes more serious breaks in the DNA strand

Why is DNA repair important?

Without DNA repair, damage can build up over time. This may lead to:

Ageing and slower cell function
Weakened immune system
Increased risk of diseases, including cancer
Problems with memory, energy, or organ function

DNA repair is a key part of keeping your body strong and healthy at the cellular level.

Can I help my body repair DNA?

Yes, you can support your body’s natural DNA repair systems by:

Eating a nutrient-rich diet with antioxidants (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
Getting enough quality sleep
Exercising regularly
Managing stress
Avoiding smoking and excess alcohol
Protecting your skin from too much sun exposure

Some nutrients and compounds, such as vitamin C, zinc, polyphenols, and NAD+ precursors (like NMN or NR), may also support DNA repair, but always speak to a healthcare professional before starting supplements.

What happens if DNA repair doesn’t work properly?

When DNA repair systems are weak or overwhelmed, damaged cells may not work properly or may grow out of control. This can increase the risk of serious health conditions, especially as we age. Supporting healthy repair is one way to help your cells stay younger and stronger for longer.

Key Takeaways

DNA repair is how your body fixes damage to its genetic code, keeping your cells healthy.
Everyday life, sun, pollution, and ageing can damage DNA, but your body has built-in ways to repair it.
Good food, sleep, exercise, and healthy habits all support natural DNA repair.
Keeping your DNA healthy may help slow ageing, support energy, and reduce the risk of disease.
If you're interested in supplements for DNA support, speak to a healthcare professional first.

Reminder: DNA repair helps your body stay well from the inside out. Looking after your cells is one of the best ways to protect your long-term health and feel your best at any age.

Sources

[1] Cooper GM. The Cell: A Molecular Approach. 2nd edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2000. DNA Repair. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9900/

[2] Schuch AP, Moreno NC, Schuch NJ, Menck CFM, Garcia CCM. Sunlight damage to cellular DNA: Focus on oxidatively generated lesions. Free Radic Biol Med. 2017 Jun;107:110-124. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.01.029. Epub 2017 Jan 18. PMID: 28109890.

[3] DeMarini DM, Claxton LD. Outdoor air pollution and DNA damage. Occup Environ Med. 2006 Apr;63(4):227-9. doi: 10.1136/oem.2005.025502. PMID: 16556739; PMCID: PMC2078081.

[4] Yamaguchi NH. Smoking, immunity, and DNA damage. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2019 May;8(Suppl 1):S3-S6. doi: 10.21037/tlcr.2019.03.02. PMID: 31211100; PMCID: PMC6546629.

[5] Hunter P. We are what we eat. The link between diet, evolution and non-genetic inheritance. EMBO Rep. 2008 May;9(5):413-5. doi: 10.1038/embor.2008.61. PMID: 18451764; PMCID: PMC2373379.

[6] Carroll JE, Cole SW, Seeman TE, Breen EC, Witarama T, Arevalo JMG, Ma J, Irwin MR. Partial sleep deprivation activates the DNA damage response (DDR) and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in aged adult humans. Brain Behav Immun. 2016 Jan;51:223-229. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.08.024. Epub 2015 Aug 31. PMID: 26336034; PMCID: PMC4679552.

[7] Flint MS, Bovbjerg DH. DNA damage as a result of psychological stress: implications for breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res. 2012 Sep 21;14(5):320. doi: 10.1186/bcr3189. PMID: 23014589; PMCID: PMC4053094.