Overview:
- A study conducted by scientists at University College London (UCL) and Kings College in the UK analyzed the association between chronic stress and key health markers in a nationally representative sample of adults over the age of 50.
- This study is the first to explore how various types of chronic stress, including financial strain, caregiving, disability, bereavement, illness, and divorce, relate to health markers in older cohorts.
Methodology:
- The study included nearly 5,000 adults over the age of 50.
- Researchers examined six common stressors and their association with four biomarkers in the blood: cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and insulin-growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Findings:
- Financial strain was found to be the most detrimental stressor to biological health in the long run.
- Participants who reported being generally stressed were 61 percent more likely to belong to the high-risk health category at a four-year follow-up.
- Financial stress alone increased the likelihood of a high-risk health profile by nearly 60 percent.
- Each additional stressor, such as divorce, increased the likelihood of a high-risk health profile by 19 percent.
- These associations remained significant regardless of genetics, socioeconomics, age, sex, or lifestyle factors.
Impact of Chronic Stress:
- Chronic stress can disrupt the immune and neuroendocrine systems, leading to disease.
- Financial stress, bereavement, and longstanding illness showed the greatest long-term changes in immune and neuroendocrine biomarkers, indicating an ongoing physical effect of chronic stress.
Limitations and Implications:
- The study’s findings are based on a predominantly White sample, limiting generalizability.
- Higher alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk profile, but this does not imply that increasing alcohol intake is beneficial for overall health.
- The study suggests that interventions targeting the immune and neuroendocrine response to stress could alter the course of disease.
Conclusion:
- The study highlights the significant impact of chronic stress, particularly financial strain, on long-term health outcomes.
- Understanding the link between stress and health markers can inform interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of stress on the aging body.
Erin Balsa is a highly skilled and knowledgeable health journalist with a passion for educating the public on important health and wellness topics. With extensive experience in both traditional and digital media, Erin has established herself as a trusted voice in the field.