Heat takes a toll on your biological clock: your age counts twice!

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Research shows that extreme heat affects biological age and increases health risks. Current studies confirm connections.

Forschungen zeigen, dass extreme Hitze das biologische Alter beeinflusst und Gesundheitsrisiken steigert. Aktuelle Studien bestätigen Zusammenhänge.
Research shows that extreme heat affects biological age and increases health risks. Current studies confirm connections.

Heat takes a toll on your biological clock: your age counts twice!

Researchers from the USA have presented alarming findings about the effects of climate change on human health. According to a study published in the renowned journal Nature, persistently high temperatures not only lead to immediate health risks such as heat stroke, but have also been shown to accelerate the biological aging process. The scientists examined the epigenetic age of 3,800 people aged 56 and over, with every 10 percent increase in hot days increasing the molecular age by about a month, today.at reported.

Biological aging and heat influence

The research uses the so-called “epigenetic clock,” which detects chemical changes in DNA to determine age at the cellular level. These changes are not immediately visible, but can have significant long-term health consequences. The analysis showed that people in hotter regions appear “older” at the molecular level, underscoring the urgency of addressing temperature changes caused by climate change.

In addition, further scientific work is examining the relationship between heat and the health of older people. The effects of environmental exposure and aging on biological markers have been widely documented, with a focus on measuring inflammatory markers and oxidative stressors, which are considered critical in research. A comprehensive review of the relationships between environmental factors and aging highlights the need to take preventive measures.

This highlights the significant risks that climate change poses not only to the environment but also to human health. Experts warn against ignoring the alarming evidence and call for increased research and education to better prepare the population for future challenges.

The comprehensive study on the influence of extreme temperatures on biological aging and the associated health risks simply shows how serious the situation is. For detailed information, see the full reports today.at and Springer.