2024-07-29 15:13:00
Physical aging is a gradual deterioration of the functioning of cells, tissues and organs, leading to an increased risk of chronic diseases. Scientists measure this type of aging using DNA markers known as epigenetic clocks..
“Few studies have analyzed how the death of a loved one at different stages of life affects these DNA markers,” he pointed out. Allison Aiello, lead author of the study. “Our research shows strong links between the loss of loved ones across the lifespan, from childhood to adulthood, and rapid biological aging in the US.”
The study suggests that the impact of obesity on aging can be seen long before middle age and may contribute to health disparities between races and ethnicities.
The researchers used data from National Longitudinal Study of Youth and Senior Healthwhich began in 1994-95 and followed participants from youth to adulthood.
To measure family loss during childhood or adolescence from a longitudinal study, Aiello’s team monitored participants through stages and periods of aging. Originally surveyed 20,745 youth between the ages of 12 and 19. Since then, participants have been followed. Phase V was conducted between 2016 and 2018 and interviews were completed with 12,300 of the original participants. In the last one, between 2016 and 2018, participants were invited to an additional home test in which a blood sample was provided from nearly 4,500 volunteers for DNA testing.
We still do not fully understand how loss leads to poor health and increased mortality
The study looked at deaths experienced during childhood or adolescence (up to 18 years) and adulthood (ages 19 to 43). They also assessed the number of close calls experienced during this period.
Biological aging data were analyzed from blood DNA methylation using epigenetic clocks.
The results show that almost 40% of the participants experienced at least one loss in adulthood between the ages of 33 and 43. Parental loss is more common in the elderly than in childhood and adolescence (27% vs. 6 %). A higher proportion of black (57%) and Hispanic participants (4%) experienced at least one loss compared to white participants (34%).
Some stages of life may be less vulnerable to the health risks associated with loss, and the accumulation of losses appears to be an important factor.
People who experience two or more deaths have older biological ages according to various epigenetic clocks. Experiencing two or more near deaths in adulthood is more closely related to biological aging than experiencing a loss and significantly more than experiencing a loss.
«The relationship between the loss of loved ones and health problems throughout life is well established -Aiello assured-. “But some stages of life may be less vulnerable to the health risks associated with loss, and the accumulation of losses appears to be an important factor.”
For example, losing a parent or sibling early in life can be very traumatic, often leading to mental health and cognitive problems, increased risks of heart disease, and a higher chance of dying earlier. On the other hand, the death of a close family member at any age poses health risks, and repeated loss can increase the risks of heart disease, death, and depression; and the repercussions may persist or become apparent long after the event.
The researchers emphasized that while obesity at any age can have long-term effects on health, the effects may be greater during critical periods of development, such as childhood or young adulthood. “We still don’t fully understand how loss leads to poor health and increased mortality, but learning aging may be a process, as suggested in our research. Future research should focus on finding ways to reduce disproportionate losses among vulnerable groups. For those who experience loss, it is important to provide resources to deal with and cope with the trauma,” concluded Aiello.
#death #loved #accelerates #age