A recent study has discovered an unexpected factor that could accelerate the ageing process, unrelated to diet or exercise routines. The research, conducted by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, delved into ‘biological ageing’, focusing on the age of cells and tissues rather than just chronological age.
The USC study analyzed biological ageing trends in American adults aged 50 to 79 between 1988-1994 and 2015-2018. The findings revealed a general slowdown in biological ageing, but individuals with lower education levels aged faster compared to those with higher education.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, adults with less than a high school education exhibited approximately a one-year gap in biological ageing compared to college graduates. By 2015-2018, this gap had almost doubled to nearly two years.
Assistant Professor Mateo Farina, the lead author of the study, emphasized the disparity in biological ageing due to education levels, stating that individuals with higher education experience slower biological ageing, contributing to unequal distribution of health benefits across the population.
The researchers highlighted that education impacts various aspects of health and ageing, influencing job opportunities, healthcare access, and awareness of unhealthy behaviors. Despite examining factors like smoking, medication use, and obesity, these did not fully explain the observed differences in ageing.
Professor Eileen Crimmins, the senior author of the study, emphasized the social significance of education on health outcomes, indicating a need to consider education as a public health investment to address health disparities.
The study aligns with other recent research projects exploring longevity and biological ageing. For example, a study from Columbia University found a correlation between experiencing multiple losses of loved ones and accelerated biological ageing, especially in adulthood.
Signs of biological ageing include visible changes like wrinkles and grey hair, as well as cellular deterioration detectable through medical assessments. While the impact of losing a loved one on biological ageing remains not entirely understood, trauma is suggested as a potential contributing factor with implications for mental health and heart disease risk.
Overall, factors such as diet, exercise, genetics, chronic conditions, and quality of life also play crucial roles in determining life expectancy and biological age.