This could be making your body biologically older than your age
Recent findings reveal that individuals with a history of mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety disorders, or bipolar disorder, exhibit biological aging indicators in their blood, indicating that they are older than their chronological age.
This discovery could help clarify why individuals with mental health issues have a tendency to experience age-related diseases and shorter lifespans compared to the general population.
In a study conducted by Dr. Julian Mutz and Prof. Cathryn Lewis of King’s College London, they analyzed information on 168 blood metabolites from 110,780 individuals participating in the UK Biobank2.
Their findings indicated that individuals with a history of mental disorders had higher MetaboAgeΔ values compared to those without such conditions.
For instance, individuals with bipolar disorder had a MetaboAgeΔ value that was approximately two years higher than those without mental illnesses, indicating a discrepancy between their biological age and actual chronological age. Additionally, MetaboAgeΔ exhibited a positive correlation with polygenic scores for mental illnesses.
By associating this information with the individuals’ mental health history, the researchers discovered that those with a mental illness demonstrated a metabolite profile that appeared older than what was anticipated for their age.
At the European Congress of Psychiatry in Paris, Dr. Julian Mutz, the lead researcher from King’s College London, presented the team’s findings and stated that blood metabolites can now be utilized to estimate a person’s age.
The study revealed that individuals with a history of mental illnesses had an average metabolite profile that suggested they were biologically older than their “actual age.”
Dr. Mutz cited that individuals with bipolar disorder, for instance, had blood markers indicating an age difference of approximately “2 years older than their chronological age.”
Individuals with mental health disorders generally experience a shorter lifespan and reduced quality of life compared to the general population. The extent of the impact may vary depending on the type of mental health condition. In many cases, those with poor mental health exhibit a greater likelihood of developing ailments like heart disease and diabetes, which can worsen over time.
A study conducted in 2019 revealed that individuals with mental illnesses had a life expectancy of approximately 10 years less than men and seven years less than women in the general population.
Dr. Mutz further elaborated, stating that their research findings suggest that individuals with mental health issues may have bodies that appear biologically older than what is typical for their age group. This aspect may not entirely explain the differences in health and life expectancy between individuals with mental health conditions and the general population. However, it does indicate that accelerated biological aging could be a significant contributing factor.
Dr. Mutz also mentioned that if these markers are employed to monitor biological aging, it could transform how healthcare professionals assess the physical health of individuals with mental illnesses and evaluate the efficacy of interventions aimed at improving their physical well-being.
Dr. Sara Poletti of the Istituto Scientifico Universitario Ospedale San Raffaele in Milan provided an independent comment on the research findings. She emphasized the significance of the study, as it offers a potential explanation for the increased incidence of metabolic and age-related ailments in individuals with mental illnesses.
Dr. Poletti also highlighted the importance of “understanding the mechanisms underlying accelerated biological aging” in individuals with mental health conditions, as this knowledge could pave the way for developing tailored treatments and preventative measures.
It is worth noting that Dr. Poletti was not involved in the research.
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