Scientists have discovered that long periods of extreme heat can accelerate biological age in older adults by up to two years. Researchers at the University of Southern California studied blood samples from over 3,600 adults aged 68 and found that more heat days led to faster deterioration at the molecular and cellular level.
The study, published in Science Advances, used a measure called epigenetic aging to track how well the body was functioning. Epigenetic age is a way to estimate biological aging, which can vary from chronological age. The researchers compared the epigenetic ages of participants living in regions with long periods of extreme heat to those in cooler climates.
The study found that residents living in hot places like Phoenix, Arizona, experienced an average 14-month increase in epigenetic age, while those in milder places like Seattle showed little change. This effect is comparable to smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, which are known risk factors for accelerated biological aging.
The researchers suggest that extreme heat can have a silent toll on the body at the cellular and molecular level, leading to disease and disability over time. However, the study also highlights the importance of early intervention, as it may be possible to prevent or mitigate some of the effects of extreme heat through targeted public health interventions.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/long-periods-extreme-heat-accelerate-biological-age-scientists/story?id=119124483