The death of a loved one may accelerate the aging process, according to a study: 'Significant life event'

The death of a loved one can not only cause emotional distress but may also accelerate the aging process.

A recent report from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Butler Columbia Aging Center in New York, in collaboration with the Carolina Population Center at University North Carolina Chapel Hill, states that.

Those who experienced the loss of a close family member appeared to have an older biological age, according to a study by researchers.

The study was recently published in JAMA Network Open.

According to lead author Allison E. Aiello, PhD, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, this study provides strong evidence of a link between experiencing loss and accelerated biological aging, although it doesn't offer definitive proof.

Biological age refers to the age of our bodies at the cellular level, which may differ from our actual age, as defined by Aiello.

As cells, tissues, and organs decline in function, the risk of developing diseases later in life increases, she stated.

Details of the study

The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, initiated in 1994, was the source of data collected by the team of researchers.

According to a Columbia press release, a total of 20,745 participants aged 12 to 19 years were tracked for a 24-year span, up until 2018.

Over 40% of participants in the study experienced the loss of a close relative in adulthood.

The study authors observed that out of the original participants, 4,500 agreed to undergo additional home exams and blood tests.

Epigenetic clocks, derived from blood samples, were employed to determine biological age.

"A greater number of losses was associated with more pronounced biological aging."

The researchers discovered that while one loss in adulthood accelerated biological aging, multiple losses had a more significant effect.

More pronounced biological aging was linked to a greater number of losses, providing further evidence of the harmful effects of this exposure, according to Aiello, who spoke to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Health effects of grief

Numerous health problems have been linked to the trauma of losing a parent or sibling, according to study authors.

Aiello stated that loss is a significant life stressor that has been linked to negative health outcomes, including mental health issues, cognitive decline, increased risk of heart disease, and higher mortality rates, as prior research has shown.

She pointed out that the consequences of such losses might not become apparent right away, but could surface later.

Researchers found that while loss can cause health effects at any age, these effects may be more pronounced during key developmental times in a person's life.

According to Aiello, those who experienced losses during early adulthood, up to the early 40s, had a greater increase in biological aging compared to those who lost loved ones during childhood or adolescence.

"The impact of loss was stronger in older age, possibly due to greater resilience in younger individuals or because we had fewer cases of loss in younger age groups, making it harder to detect significant effects," she stated.

More research needed, experts say

Daniel Tawfik, a molecular biologist and co-founder of Healthspan, a digital medical clinic in Santa Monica, California, offered his perspectives on the study's findings although he was not involved in the research.

Tawfik told Planet Chronicle Digital that a recent JAMA study showing that bereavement can speed up biological aging is consistent with our understanding of how stress affects the body.

The researcher stated that the study's examination of epigenetic markers provides a "fascinating understanding of the molecular processes responsible for stress-related aging."

According to Tawfik, more research is required to determine whether the age-related effects of losing a loved one are temporary or permanent.

"Epigenetic aging is dynamic, so there's good reason to believe these changes can be reversed."

It is unclear how long biological changes persist, how individuals can recover over time, and what specific interventions might mitigate these effects due to the limited assessment point.

"These changes in epigenetic aging are reversible since they are dynamic."

Aiello reiterated that additional research would help to confirm these findings.

To better comprehend the immediate and long-lasting effects of loss on biological aging, we require more data from younger individuals and longer-term studies, as stated.

Healthy coping strategies

After the loss of a loved one, effective coping strategies are crucial, as agreed upon by Aiello and Tawfik, as highlighted in the study.

Tawfik advised Planet Chronicle Digital that it is crucial for individuals in such circumstances to seek support, use stress-reduction techniques, and stay alert about their health.

"By being proactive, management can help ease some of the physical burdens of grief."

Aiello suggests that future research should investigate the effectiveness of specific coping strategies and support systems in mitigating the negative effects of loss on biological aging.

She stated that medical professionals and public health strategies could improve outcomes after a loss by providing guidance and support.

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The research was funded by several federal agencies and foundations, including the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Add Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute on Aging, the Carolina Population Center, and others.