Scientists from Columbia University (USA) discovered that the loss of loved ones speeds up the epigenetic clock based on the DNA methylation mechanism, thus contributing to biological aging. Research results published In JAMA Network Open.
The researchers analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study known as Add Health. 12,300 people were invited to participate via survey in 1994-1995. In the first phase, when most of the participants were in school, scientists collected information about their health and asked them to indicate whether they had experienced the death of a loved one. Blood samples were also taken from some volunteers for laboratory analysis.
It was noted that the survey was repeated four more times between the beginning of the study in 2016 and 2018. During this time, approximately 4,000 people reported losing a family member, spouse or friend.
The researchers mapped epigenetic profiles from 2018 to 2024 and determined biological age clocks using blood tests. A linear regression model was used to analyse the data to estimate the relationship between the number of deaths and biological age measurements, while controlling for a range of variables including ethnicity, gender, wealth, family size, education and the type of relationship between the participant and the deceased.
The results showed that among volunteers aged 33 to 44, losses translated into higher biological age, as measured by the epigenetic clock, and also faster aging. The more losses a person experienced, the higher the rate.
Disruption of the normal methylation cycle increases the risk of developing many diseases and mental disorders. The rate of biological aging, i.e. the degree of “wear and tear” of the body, can be predicted based on DNA methylation.
Scientists are not yet clear on what exactly determines the relationship between DNA methylation and the loss of loved ones. Perhaps the underlying correlation is the effect of emotional stress.
Scientists explained that the acceleration of biological aging is caused by DNA methylation, a chemical modification of a macromolecule that does not affect the genetic code.
Previously a scientist listed Simple ways to live longer.