Toxic people in your environment may accelerate ageing, study shows

The results of the study were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

In the study, scientists examined the impact of so-called "hasslers" - people who regularly cause stress, create problems or make life difficult for those around them.

Details

Participants were asked if, in the past six months, they had encountered people who:

• frequently cause problems
• cause stress
• make everyday life difficult.

In addition to the questionnaires, the researchers also collected saliva samples to measure epigenetic markers - biological indicators of the body's aging.

The analysis showed a clear pattern: each additional person causing constant stress was associated with about 1.5 per cent acceleration of biological ageing.

This means that the body may be aging slightly faster than a person's calendar age.

What this means

Scientists note that even a small acceleration in biological aging can accumulate over time.

That said, the study doesn't prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, but it does show a strong link between stressful relationships and health.

Experts recommend:

• limit communication with people who cause constant stress whenever possible
• set personal boundaries in relationships
• spend more time with supportive people.

Research also shows that strong social ties can reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and increase longevity.

Background

Biological aging reflects the rate at which the body's cells age and can differ from calendar age.

The study also found that women are more likely to report having stressful relationships. The source of stress is often family members, co-workers or neighbours with whom it is difficult to completely stop contact.

Source

Byungkyu Lee et al.

Negative social ties as emerging risk factors for accelerated aging, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2515331123