Key points from article :
A study using data from a large US health survey has revealed that people who lose a loved one early in life – from childhood through to young adulthood – show signs of accelerated ageing at the cellular level. These changes, measured by chemical modifications to DNA, are known to increase the risk of later health problems.
Led by epidemiologists at Columbia University, the research team found that individuals who experienced multiple bereavements had a higher biological age than their chronological age, suggesting that grief and stress may take a toll on the body. The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, hints at the possibility that counseling and support could potentially mitigate these effects.
In related research, also published in JAMA Network Open, a team led by Elissa Epel at the University of California, San Francisco, examined the impact of diet on biological age. They found that women who followed a healthy diet, rich in vitamins and minerals, had a lower biological age. However, even among those with healthy diets, each gram of added sugar consumed was associated with an increase in biological age.
Both studies highlight the significant influence that life events and lifestyle choices can have on our health and well-being, potentially impacting how our bodies age over time.
