December 17, 2004 – A long period of psychological stress would reduce the life of cells, to the point of causing premature aging of ten years, according to American researchers1.
They observed the effect of stress on the aging process in 58 mothers between the ages of 20 and 50, two-thirds of whom were caring for chronically ill children. The researchers hypothesized that mothers caring for chronically ill children would be more prone to more intense and more frequent psychological stress than mothers of healthy children.
To quantify this effect, they measured the length of telomeres, elements located at the ends of chromosomes. The length of the telomeres decides the lifespan of our cells. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten. When they reach a certain length, the cell dies. Telomeres can however be “repaired” by an enzyme called telomerase, thus delaying the aging process.
The authors found that mothers who cared for a sick child the longest (12 years) and those who perceived the highest level of stress, had the shortest telomeres and the least telomerase activity. From this data, the researchers were able to assess that the chromosomes of the hardest-hit mothers had aged ten years prematurely. The results were analyzed taking into account the mother’s age, lifestyle, vitamin intake and body mass index.
The state of current research cannot explain exactly how psychological stress affects the body and morale. However, in light of the results of their study, the authors believe that the length of telomeres could be a risk factor for health as well as the level of cholesterol. They now want clinical trials to be conducted to see if relaxation techniques could curb the effects of stress and therefore protect telomerase and telomeric activity.
Marie france Coutu – Proteus Network
According to Cybersciences.
1. Epel ES, Blackburn EH, et al, Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS), December 7, 2004, Vol. 101, No. 49, 17312-5.
