Recent advancements in epigenetic research have introduced new "clocks" that accurately measure biological aging, shedding light on the long-held belief that trauma can lead to premature aging. These clocks quantify the extent of DNA methylation, a biochemical change that occurs without altering the actual gene sequence. Findings show that individuals with higher biological ages than their chronological age face elevated health risks, particularly related to trauma exposure, mental health issues like PTSD, and earlier onset of age-associated diseases. This research underscores the compelling connection between childhood trauma, biological aging, and health outcomes throughout life.
Epigenetic clocks offer a novel approach to understanding the relationship between trauma and aging, quantifying biological age and its implications for health.
The accumulation of methyl groups on DNA serves as a biological marker, indicating whether an individual's biological age is younger or older than their chronological age.
Understanding the interplay between trauma and biological aging could revolutionize our approach to mental health, especially in predicting PTSD risk and treatment outcomes.
The study of epigenetic clocks reveals how childhood trauma can have lasting effects on biological aging, potentially leading to earlier onset of age-related diseases.
Collection
[
|
...
]