The death of a loved one can leave profound marks that can be seen even at the cellular level. Researchers have discovered that it can lead to faster aging. Columbia University.
People who have lost a parent, partner, sibling or child have a higher biological age than those who have not lost a loved one. Biological aging refers to the gradual decline in the functioning of cells, tissues and organs. Biological aging is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease. This can be measured using certain DNA markers, known as the epigenetic clock.
The effect is visible at an early age.
“Few studies have looked at how losing a loved one at different stages of life affects these DNA markers,” said researcher Allison Aiello. “Our study now shows a strong link between losing loved ones across your lifespan, from childhood to adulthood, and faster biological aging.”
The impact of loss on aging appears long before middle age and may contribute to health disparities across populations. The researchers used data from a long-term US health study that began in 1994-95. Participants were followed from their teenage years into adulthood.
Main differences between population groups
The researchers looked at the loss of a loved one in childhood up to age 18, and in adulthood between ages 19 and 43. They layered aging data alongside this. Thousands of participants were followed for years. In the latest study, between 2016 and 2018, nearly 4,500 people were visited in their homes, where a blood sample was taken for DNA testing.
Nearly 40% of participants aged 33 to 43 had lost at least one loved one. The gap between black (57%) and Latino (41%) and white (34%) participants was significant. In people who had lost at least two loved ones, biological age was significantly higher according to several epigenetic clocks. Even after losing a loved one, cell age remained elevated compared to people who had never lost anyone.
“The association between the death of loved ones and health problems throughout life is well established,” Professor Aiello noted. “But at some stages of life you are more vulnerable to the health risks associated with loss. And the accumulation of losses also appears to be an important factor.
more at risk at an early age
For example, the death of a parent, sibling or brother early in life can be extremely traumatic and lead to psychological problems, increased risk of cardiovascular disease and a greater chance of premature death. But losing a loved one at any age carries health risks, and repeated loss can increase the risk of heart disease, death and dementia. The effects may last a long time or only become apparent long after the death.
While the death of a loved one can have a profound impact at any age, the consequences may be most severe during key developmental periods such as childhood or early adulthood, the researchers wrote. “We still do not fully understand how loss leads to poor health and increased mortality, but biological aging may be an important mechanism at play. Future research should therefore focus on ways to reduce the risk of loss among vulnerable populations. For those experiencing a death, it is essential to provide resources to cope with and process the trauma,” Aiello concluded.
What are epigenetic clocks?
Epigenetics studies changes in gene function without changing the DNA sequence. It is about the effect of genetic changes on gene expression, especially in the switches that turn certain genes on or off. Environmental processes also play a role. It is about how genetic information that is not recorded in DNA is passed from generation to generation. Epigenetic clocks are biomarkers that use epigenetic patterns to predict aging at the cellular level.