What if the intense heat does not only leave you feel tired, but also makes you faster?
Scientists already know that intense heat Risk From thermal stroke, cardiovascular disease, kidney imbalance to death. I see these effects often in my work as Researcher how Environmental pressure affects the aging process. But so far, explore a little research how the heat affects Biological agingThe gradual deterioration of cells and tissues that increase the risk of age -related diseases.
I am looking for my team and I was published in the Science Advances magazine in March 2025 indicates that long -term exposure to severe heat may Speeding biological aging at the molecular levelWhich raises concerns about the long -term health risks posed by the warming climate.
Hidden losses in the body on the body
My colleagues and I studied blood samples from more than 3,600 elderly people across the United States. We measured their biological age using Lagine watchesThat picks up DNA modification patterns – Methael – This change with age.
DNA indicates chemical adjustments to the DNA that works like the keys to operate and stop genes. Environmental factors can It affects these keys And change how genes work, which affects aging and disease risk over time. Measuring these changes through Lagine watches You can predict strongly The risk of age associated with age and age.
Research in animal models has shown that intense heat can lead to what is known as a Non -adaptive Lagin memoryOr permanent changes in similar patterns of DNA. Studies indicate that one episode of severe heat stress can cause it Long -term transformations in DNA Through different tissues in mice. To test the effects of thermal stress on people, we have linked the Lagin hour data with climatic records to assess whether people who live in more hot environments have shown faster biological aging.
We have found that the elderly who live in areas with frequent hot days showed Many faster Lagine aging Compared to those who live in cooler areas. For example, the participants who live in locations with at least 140 days of extremist heat per year – are classified as the days when the heat index exceeds 90 ° F (32.33 degrees Celsius) – it witnessed up to 14 months of additional biological aging compared to the areas that include less than 10 days annually.
This relationship between biological age and severe heat remained even after calculating a wide range of individual and societal factors such as levels of physical activity and social and economic situation. This means that even among people with similar lifestyles, those who live in more hot environments may still advance faster at the biological level.
The most surprising is the size of the effect – the intense heat has a similar effect on the acceleration of aging like Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. This indicates that exposure to heat may be silently, at an equal level with environmental pressures and other known lifestyle.
The consequences of general health in the long term
While our study sheds light on the relationship between heat and biological aging, many questions that have not been answered remain. It is important to make it clear that the results we have reached do not mean that every additional year in the intense heat translates directly into an additional 14 months of biological aging. Instead, our research reflects the differences at the population level between the groups based on its exposure to local heat. In other words, we took a snapshot of the entire population in a moment of time; She was not designed to consider effects on individuals.
Our study also does not take completely All ways People Protect themselves From intense heat. Factors such as access to conditioningThe time spent in the open air and professional exposure play a role in shaping personal exposure to heat and its effects. Some individuals may be more flexible, while others may face greater risks due to the previous health conditions or Social and economic barriers. This is a field where more research is needed.
However, what is clear is that the intense heat is more than just an immediate healthy risk-it may be silently accelerating the aging process, with long-term consequences for public health.
The elderly are especially exposed because aging reduces the body’s ability to Effectively organizing the temperature. Many older individuals also take medicines such as beta blockers and urine that can Weakening tolerance with heatWhich makes it difficult for their bodies to deal with high temperatures. Until moderate hot days, such as those that reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.67 degrees Celsius), can pose health risks to older adults.
as American population quickly Climate change It intensifies heat waves all over the worldI simply think that I am telling people to move to the cooler areas. The development of suitable solutions for age that allows older adults to remain safe in their societies and protect the most vulnerable population can help address the hidden and important effects of severe heat.
This article has been republished from ConversationAn independent, non -profit news organization brings you facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. Written by: Eunyoung Choiand South California University
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Eunyoung Choi receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Agency.
