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Premature Aging: Causes, Risk Factors, And Signs
Premature aging may be due to various factors, such as telomere shortening and a lack of cell division. Lifestyle habits such as eating a nutritious diet, being physically active, and getting enough sleep may help prevent it.
Premature aging is the earlier-than-usual occurrence of age-related changes in a person’s body.
There are many signs of aging, including a loss of elasticity in the skin and other tissues, a decline in muscle strength, changes in hearing and vision, and slower mental processing.
Various genetic disorders can cause premature aging, but lifestyle factors such as smoking and sun exposure are more often the cause.
Premature aging is not reversible, but healthy lifestyle habits can support a person’s health and help them feel better as they age.
Scientists refer to age in two ways:
- Chronological age: This is how old a person is in years, months, and days since they were born.
- Biological age: This is a measure of how well a person’s organs and tissues are working. It can be a better indicator of a person’s health than their chronological age.
If someone’s biological age exceeds their chronological age, they are aging prematurely.
Scientists are actively studying the causes of aging. Most agree that a major cause of aging is the shortening of telomeres, which cap the ends of chromosomes — the strands within cells that hold DNA or genetic information. Scientists often liken telomeres to aglets, the plastic caps at the ends of shoelaces.
Telomeres protect chromosomes from external damage and preserve the DNA that keeps people looking and feeling young. However, every time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten. When they get too short, the DNA has less protection and is prone to damage.
Eventually, telomere shortening leads to cell senescence. Senescent cells are not capable of dividing and no longer follow the usual cell cycle. People naturally amass more senescent cells as they age.
Cell senescence can be helpful in some instances, such as for suppressing tumor development. However, in most cases, senescent cells may contribute to senescence in other cells, as they release proteins that may lead to inflammation and tissue changes.
Because unhealthy lifestyle habits can contribute to telomere shortening, there are steps people can take to prevent DNA damage.
Certain genetic conditions involve rapidly shortening telomeres, and scientists are researching ways to slow this process. It is not yet possible to prevent telomere shortening in people with these genetic conditions.
Learn more about cells, including cell division.
Signs of aging can be appearance-based, mental, or physical. Examples include:
The following lifestyle measures may help prevent premature aging.
Exposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can speed up skin aging. To avoid premature skin aging, a person can:
Read more about sun protection.
Quitting smoking can improve many aspects of health, help slow the aging process, and extend a person’s life expectancy.
A 2022 analysis involving 245,000 participants reported that high alcohol consumption had a significant association with shorter telomere length.
- 2 drinks or less per day for males
- 1 drink or less per day for females
Eating a variety of minimally processed whole foods can help every part of the body function at its best and may help prevent premature aging. A balanced diet includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins.
Many plant-based foods contain antioxidants, which can help reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can damage cells and tissues and contribute to premature aging.
Learn more about the benefits of a healthy diet.
A lack of physical activity can speed up aging by contributing to muscle loss, decreasing cardiovascular health, and reducing mental functioning. Physical activity can have a positive effect on health at a cellular level to prevent premature aging.
Read more about exercise and how to start.
People may underestimate the negative impact that stress has on the body. Stress triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can lead to inflammation and shorten telomeres in cells. Identifying stressors and finding ways to lessen their impact is important in preventing premature aging.
Learn more about stress and how to manage it.
Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Getting too little sleep over a long period of time may negatively affect the body’s ability to repair itself and may gradually lead to cell damage and signs of premature aging.
Sometimes, signs of premature aging can indicate an underlying condition, particularly if they begin suddenly. A person should consult a doctor if they experience the following:
- skin discoloration
- the appearance of new moles or changes to existing moles
- changes in skin texture
- easy bruising
- sudden hair loss
A dermatologist can give advice on skin care and ways to prevent signs of premature aging in the skin.
If a person wants to make positive lifestyle changes but is having difficulty adapting their behavior, they can ask a doctor for advice.
Premature aging occurs when cells become damaged earlier than is typical for a person’s chronological age.
This can lead to signs of premature aging, such as skin changes, hair loss, muscle and bone loss, hearing and vision problems, and slower mental processing.
People may be able to help prevent premature aging through healthy lifestyle habits such as protecting their skin from sun exposure, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, eating a nutritious diet, staying physically active, managing stress, and getting enough sleep.
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