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New research reveals rapid aging results from grief, especially after experiencing multiple losses
NEW YORK – Losing a loved one is always difficult, but new research suggests that the impact of such a loss can go far beyond emotional pain. A study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health finds that the death of a loved one may actually accelerate the aging process at a biological level, potentially setting the stage for the earlier onset of age-related health problems.
The study, published in Opening of the JAMA networkOne study found that people who had lost two or more close family members—including parents, spouses, siblings, or children—showed signs of accelerated biological aging compared to those who hadn’t suffered such losses. This effect was even seen in adults in their 30s and early 40s, suggesting that the impact of grief on our bodies may begin much earlier than previously thought.
“Our study shows strong links between the loss of loved ones across the life course, from childhood to adulthood, and faster biological aging in the United States,” said lead author Dr. Allison Aiello, professor of epidemiology at Columbia University, in a statement.
But what is “biological aging,” and how does it differ from the birthdays we celebrate every year? While chronological age simply measures how long we’ve been alive, biological age reflects how well our bodies are functioning at the cellular level. Scientists can measure this using specialized tools called epigenetic clocks, which study the specific chemical changes in our DNA that accumulate as we age.
Think of it like the difference between a car’s model year and its actual condition. Two cars may both be from 2010, but one that’s been well-maintained will be in much better shape than one that’s been through rough conditions. Similarly, two 40-year-olds may have very different biological ages based on their life experiences and health habits.
The study’s findings have important implications for public health and for our understanding of how life experiences impact our long-term well-being. Nearly 40% of study participants had experienced at least one significant loss by the time they reached midlife. This prevalence underscores how common these experiences are and underscores the need for better support systems for those grieving.
Interestingly, the study also shows that losses experienced in adulthood appear to have a stronger impact on biological aging than those experienced in childhood or adolescence. This challenges the conventional wisdom that early childhood trauma is always the most significant, and suggests that we may be more vulnerable to the effects of loss as we age.
The study also highlights significant disparities in exposure to loss across racial and ethnic groups. A greater proportion of black (57%) and Hispanic (41%) participants experienced at least one loss compared to white participants (34%). This disparity in exposure to loss may contribute to the well-documented health inequalities across racial and ethnic groups in the United States.
“We don’t yet fully understand how loss of a loved one leads to poor health and higher mortality, but biological aging may be one mechanism suggested in our study,” Dr. Aiello notes. “Future research should focus on finding ways to reduce disproportionate loss among vulnerable groups. For those who experience loss, providing resources to cope and process the trauma is critical.”
These findings may seem discouraging, but they also offer hope. By understanding how experiences like loss affect our biology, we can develop better strategies to support people who are grieving and potentially mitigate some of the long-term health effects. This could include not only emotional support, but also interventions to promote healthy aging and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.
This study reminds us that grieving is not just an emotional process, but can have tangible effects on our physical health. At StudyFinds, we have published several articles on how our bodies are affected by the loss of loved ones. Taking steps to manage stress, maintain social connections, and prioritize overall well-being can be especially crucial for those who have experienced multiple losses.
Studies like this continue to pave the way for a more comprehensive understanding of health and aging. By recognizing the profound impacts of grief, we can work toward creating a society that better supports individuals through life’s most difficult moments, potentially improving long-term health outcomes for all.
Article summary
Methodology
The researchers used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, which followed a group of Americans from 7th to 12th grade in 1994-1995. They looked at information about family deaths that participants reported over five waves of the study, spanning 24 years. In the most recent wave (2016-2018), when participants were ages 35 to 45, the researchers collected blood samples from nearly 4,500 participants. They used these samples to measure “epigenetic age,” a way of estimating biological age based on chemical changes to DNA. They then compared the epigenetic ages of people with different numbers of losses to see if there were any differences.
Results
The study found that about 40% of participants had experienced the loss of a close family member before age 40. People who had lost two or more family members showed signs of accelerated biological aging on several measures, including the PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DunedinPACE epigenetic clocks. Losses experienced in adulthood appeared to have a stronger association with biological aging than losses experienced during childhood or adolescence. The study also noted racial disparities, with 57% of black participants and 41% of Hispanic participants experiencing at least one loss, compared to 34% of white participants.
Boundaries
The study has several limitations. It only looked at epigenetic age at one point in time, so it can’t show how biological aging might change over time in response to loss. The researchers also couldn’t rule out the possibility that other factors, such as inherited health conditions, might influence both the likelihood of experiencing loss and biological aging. Additionally, while the study had a diverse sample, it may not have included enough participants from certain racial and ethnic groups to detect all potential differences in how loss affects biological aging in different populations.
Discussion and takeaways
This study provides important evidence that losing a loved one can accelerate biological aging, even before middle age. This could help explain why people who experience multiple losses often have higher risks of health problems later in life. The findings suggest that the impact of loss on health may be more immediate and direct than previously thought. They also highlight the potential long-term health consequences of disparities in exposure to loss across racial and ethnic groups. The researchers suggest that their findings could inform efforts to support people who have experienced loss and potentially prevent some of the negative health effects.
Funding and Disclosures
The study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Institute on Aging. Additional funding was provided by the Carolina Population Center and other federal agencies and foundations. Some of the authors have relationships with companies that develop technologies related to measuring biological aging, but these were not directly related to the current study. Dan Belsky is the inventor of the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, which was licensed to TruDiagnostic.