Losing a loved one can speed up the biological aging process, scientists say
A study has shown that losing a close family member can accelerate biological aging. Biological aging involves the decline of cell, tissue and organ function, which increases the risk of long-term diseases.
Losing a close family member may accelerate biological aging, according to a recent study by the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and the Butler Columbia Aging Center.
The research, published in JAMA Network Open, found that individuals who lost a parent, partner, sibling or child showed signs of accelerated biological ageing compared to those who did not lose anyone.
Biological aging involves the decline of cell, tissue, and organ function, which increases the risk of long-term diseases. Scientists assess this type of aging through DNA markers known as epigenetic clocks.
The study, conducted in collaboration with the Carolina Population Center at UNC-Chapel Hill, shows that the effects of weight loss on aging begin long before middle age, which may contribute to health disparities among racial and ethnic groups.
The researchers used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, which ran from 1994 to 1995, following participants from their adolescence into adulthood.
Family loss was tracked during childhood or adolescence (up to 18 years) and adulthood (19 to 43 years), and biological aging was assessed using epigenetic clocks including blood DNA methylation and DunedinPACE.
Findings showed that approximately 40% of participants experienced the death of a parent at least once in adulthood (aged 33–43 years), with experiencing parental death in adulthood (27%) being more common than in childhood or adolescence (6%).
Black and Hispanic participants had higher rates of harm than white participants (57% and 41% vs. 34%, respectively).
Those who experienced two or more losses had higher biological ages according to multiple epigenetic clocks. Multiple losses in adulthood were more strongly associated with biological aging than one or no losses.
Losses such as losing a parent or sibling in childhood can lead to mental health issues, cognitive problems, heart disease and higher mortality. Repeated losses can increase the risk of heart disease, mortality and dementia, with effects that persist or emerge long after the events.
Aiello concludes, “We need to understand how impairment leads to poor health and increased mortality, and biological aging is also a possible factor.”
“Future research should focus on reducing disproportionate harm among vulnerable groups and providing resources to cope with trauma and loss,” said lead author Alison Aiello.
