Experiencing the loss of a loved one not only has an emotional impact, but it can also accelerate the aging process.
That's according to a recent report released by the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Butler Columbia Center on Aging in New York, in collaboration with the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Researchers have found that people who have lost a close relative, such as a parent, child, or sibling, appear to be older in biological age than those who have not.
The study was recently published in JAMA Network Open.
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“Although this study does not provide definitive proof, it does provide strong evidence that there is a link between the experience of loss and accelerated biological aging,” said the lead author, from New York. Dr. Alison E. Aiello, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told FOX News Digital.
Researchers have found that people who have lost a close relative, such as a parent, child, or sibling, appear to be older in biological age than those who have not. (St. Petersburg)
Aiello defined biological age as “our body's age at the cellular level, which may differ from our actual age.”
The function of cells, tissues and organs gradually declines, increasing the risk of developing the disease later in life, she said.
Research details
The team of researchers collected data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, which began in 1994.
A total of 20,745 participants between the ages of 12 and 19 were followed for 24 years, ending in 2018, according to a press release from Columbia University.
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Researchers recorded deaths in close relatives. Almost 40% of participants experienced at least one loss in adulthood.
Of the initial participants, 4,500 agreed to take additional home tests and blood tests, the study authors noted.
DNA markers from blood samples (also known as the epigenetic clock) were used to establish biological age.
“Higher numbers of losses were associated with more pronounced biological aging.”
The researchers found that while a single loss has been shown to accelerate biological aging, two or more losses in adulthood have a more pronounced effect.
“More losses are associated with more pronounced biological aging, further supporting the deleterious effects of this exposure,” Aiello told FOX News Digital.
The health effects of sadness
According to the study authors, the trauma of losing a parent or sibling is already associated with many types of health problems.
Previous research has shown that stress is associated with negative health outcomes, with feelings of loss being a “major stressor in life'' and often associated with mental health problems, cognitive decline, etc. Aiello said it's associated with lower blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease and even increased mortality.
The researchers found that while a single loss has been shown to accelerate biological aging, two or more losses in adulthood have a more pronounced effect. (St. Petersburg)
“The effects of these losses may not be felt immediately, but may emerge over time,” she noted.
The researchers determined that while loss can cause these health effects at any age, they can be more severe during critical developmental periods in life.
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People who experienced a loss in early adulthood (up to their early 40s) experienced a greater rate of biological aging than those who lost a loved one in childhood or adolescence, Aiello told FOX News Digital. spoke.
“We observed stronger effects of loss in older people, perhaps because of the resilience of younger people or because there were fewer cases of loss in younger age groups, making it difficult to detect significant effects. “I think there is,” she said.
Experts say more research is needed
Daniel Tawfik, a molecular biologist and co-founder of Healthspan, a digital health clinic based in Santa Monica, California, was not involved in the study but shared his insights on the findings. did.
“A recent JAMA study highlighting that bereavement can accelerate biological aging is consistent with our understanding of how stress affects the body,” Tawfik said. told FOX News Digital.
“It is important for people in such situations to seek support, employ stress reduction techniques and continue to monitor their health,” the researchers said. (St. Petersburg)
The study's search for epigenetic markers provides “interesting insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying stress-related aging,” he said.
More research is needed to determine whether the age-related effects of losing a loved one are temporary or permanent, Tawfik said.
“Epigenetic aging is dynamic, so there is good reason to believe that these changes can be reversed.”
“With a single end point, we can understand how long these biological changes last, how well individuals can recover over time, and what specific interventions can reduce these effects. “It remains unclear whether this will be the case,” he said.
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“Epigenetic aging is dynamic, so there is good reason to believe that these changes can be reversed.”
Aiello reiterated that additional research will help confirm these findings.
“More data are needed in younger people and in longitudinal studies to better understand the immediate and long-term effects of loss on biological aging,” she said.
healthy coping strategies
Aiello and Tawfik agreed that this study highlights the importance of effective coping strategies after the loss of a loved one.
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“It is important for individuals in such situations to seek support, employ stress reduction techniques, and continue to monitor their health,” Tawfik told FOX News Digital.
“Active management may help alleviate some of the physiological burden associated with bereavement.”
Researchers say more research is needed to determine whether the age-related effects of losing a loved one are temporary or permanent. (St. Petersburg)
Future research should focus on how specific coping strategies and support systems can help reduce the impact of loss on the biological aging process, Aiello said.
This could guide medical professionals and public health strategies to improve outcomes after loss, she said.
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This research was supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Add Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute on Aging, Carolina Population Center, and other federal agencies and foundations. .
