It’s a fact, stress disrupts many aspects of our lives, both psychologically and physiologically. A recent study has even shown that there is a link between an accelerated aging of the immune system and social stress.
A link that explains immune disparities in the elderly
Aging is not easy, and this is accompanied in particular by what is called immunosenescence. It is a process of immune dysfunction that occurs with age. This phenomenon of immune aging causes remodeling of the lymphoid organs, leading to changes in the immune function of the elderly. This process is particularly linked to age-related health problems, such as cardiovascular illnesses and the different forms of cancer.
If immunosenescence is inevitable as we age, we must know that it does not occur at the same rate for everyone. In other words, there is no specific age for this phenomenon. On the other hand, there are certain factors that can have an influence on immune aging, including the stress. According to a new study by researchers at the University of Southern California, social stress is actually linked to an accelerated aging of the immune system.
Social stress can be defined as a negative psychological and physiological mechanism when faced with situations of a social nature, such as traumatic events, work pressure, daily worries or discrimination. According to the results of the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciencesthis link between stress and the immune system could explain the age disparities for different diseases, especially with regard to deaths due to Covid-19 in the elderly.
Fewer immature T cells in stressed people
« As the global population of older adults grows, understanding age-related health disparities is critical. Age-related changes in the immune system play a critical role in declining health “, thus declared Eric Klopacklead author of the study, in a statement. Indeed, it is essential, insofar as the study also demonstrated that improvements made to the hygiene of life – in particular with regard to food, sleep and the practice ofphysical exercises – can help offset the risks associated with stress.
To reach these conclusions, surveys were conducted among 5,744 individuals over the age of 50 in the United States. In particular, the participants had to answer questionnaires relating to the stress experienced in their daily lives. They also provided blood samples so their immune systems could be tested. The study found that people with higher stress scores had an immune system that had lower percentages of immature T cells, a class of white blood cells that play a key role in the adaptive immune response to viruses and viruses. infections.