As people get older, their immune system naturally begins to lose its qualities. This aging of the immune system, called immunosecretion, can be the cause of age-related health problems, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as the ineffective response of older people to vaccines.
It seems that not all immune systems age at the same rate.
To better understand why people of the same chronological age may have different immunological ages, several scientists analyzed data on health and retirement (HRS) in adults over the age of 50 in the United States.
The more stressed you are, the more inefficient your immune system becomes
The researchers asked participants about stressful events in life, such as job loss; discrimination, lack of medical care, major lifelong traumas, chronic stress (financial stress).
Recently, HRS researchers also began collecting blood from a sample of participants, counting the different types of immune cells present, including white blood cells.
Analyzing data from 5,744 participants who provided blood and answered survey questions, the research team found that people who experienced more stress had a lower proportion of T cells responsible for immunity.
It was also found that a proper diet, aided by physical activity (exercise, sports) could be an optimal solution to reduce stress.
The study helps clarify the association between social stress and accelerated immune aging. It also highlights potential ways to slow down aging immunity, such as changing the way people cope with stress and improving their lifestyle: diet, smoking and exercise.
The development of effective cytomegalovirus vaccines may also help attenuate the aging of the immune system.
It is important to note, however, that epidemiological studies cannot fully establish the cause and effect. More research is needed to confirm whether reducing stress or lifestyle changes will lead to improvements in immune aging and a better understanding of how stress and latent pathogens, such as cytomegalovirus, interact to cause disease and death.
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