Losing loved ones causes ‘faster biological ageing’

Study finds ‘strong links’ between bereavement and poor health and higher mortality

Losing loved ones may speed up ageing, a study suggests.
The impact of the death of a family member or close friend is also thought to be more severe during childhood or early adulthood.
Data from almost 4,000 people in the US who were followed since the mid-90s when they were teenagers show people who experienced two or more losses had older biological ages than those who did not.
Experiencing two or more bereavements in adulthood was also more strongly linked to accelerated biological ageing than one loss, and significantly more so than no losses, the scientists found.
“Our study shows strong links between losing loved ones across the life course from childhood to adulthood and faster biological ageing in the US,” said study lead author Dr Allison Aiello, from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
The scientists were able to show the connection between grief and health but do not yet know what it is about enduring loss that may harm a person’s own health.
“For those who experience loss, providing resources for coping and addressing the trauma is essential,” said Dr Aiello.
Biological ageing refers to the decline in functioning of tissues and cells in the body, as opposed to chronological age.
The researchers found that 40 per cent of people in the dataset had at least one form of loss in the 30 years of the study.
Blood tests of participants looked for signs of damage which is indicative of ageing, called DNA methylation, which is a process where chemicals bind to the DNA and alter its shape and function.
Dr Aiello said: “The connection between losing loved ones and health problems throughout life is well-established.
“But some stages of life might be more vulnerable to the health risks associated with loss and the accumulation of loss appears to be a significant factor.”
For example, losing a parent or sibling early in life can be more traumatic, often leading to mental health issues, cognitive problems, higher risks of heart disease, and a greater chance of dying earlier, the experts say.
The findings are published in the Jama Network Open journal.