Stressing out makes your life worse in more than just one or two ways.
A recent study from USC reveals that stress, whether stemming from traumatic events, job strain, everyday stressors, or discrimination, can accelerate the aging of the immune system, potentially increasing susceptibility to conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even some infections.
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A study on how stress impacts us
This research sheds light on disparities in age-related health and could identify intervention points.
As the immune system naturally weakens with age, the study focuses on understanding the mechanisms that contribute to accelerated immune aging.
By examining enormous datasets from the University of Michigan's Health and Retirement Study, the researchers linked exposure to various forms of social stress to immune system decline.
They found that individuals with higher stress scores had immune profiles that seemed older, marked by a decrease in fresh disease fighters and an increase in worn-out white blood cells.
Things that matter
The study also suggests that other important lifestyle factors like poor diet and low exercise may contribute to accelerated immune aging associated with stress.
The research emphasizes that managing stress and adopting healthier habits could mitigate the negative effects on immune aging.
