Why Your Biological Clock Could Be Ticking Faster – And It’s Not What You Think

 The Reason Your Aging Clock is Speeding Up! It's Not Smoking or Drinking?

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With climate change, the Earth's temperature is rising rapidly. A new study warns that extreme heat can accelerate the aging process in older adults.

A study published in the Science Advances journal explains that prolonged exposure to extreme heat showed signs of increased biological aging in older adults.

Researchers from the University of Southern California investigated data from over 3,600 individuals aged 56 and above across the United States and compared biological characteristics with regional temperature patterns.

As a result, they found that people living in areas with frequent days over 23°C (73°F), categorized as "extreme heat zones," showed a biological age that was over a year older than expected.

The researchers obtained these results by analyzing blood samples collected over six years, from 2010 to 2016.

The study used a tool called the epigenetic clock, which tracks DNA changes over time. The results were cross-referenced with local heat index data, which takes into account both temperature and humidity.

The findings revealed that people living in hotter climates had faster epigenetic clocks, even after considering lifestyle factors such as exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

Jennifer Ailshire, a professor of gerontology at USC, explained, "Older adults are less able to sweat, making the combination of heat and humidity even more important," adding, "Their ability to cool the skin through sweat evaporation starts to diminish." This analysis suggests that high temperatures themselves are harmful, but humidity is even more detrimental.

In humid environments, sweat evaporates more slowly, reducing the body's ability to lower its temperature, according to the researchers.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2024 is recorded to be the hottest year, 1.6°C higher than pre-industrial levels. Heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent and severe.

Heatwaves have been linked to cardiovascular stress, kidney problems, and even cognitive decline. The WHO estimates that over 175,000 Europeans die each year due to heat, and due to climate change, an additional 2.3 million deaths across Europe are expected by 2099.

Eco-journalist Koo ecopresso23@gmail.com