Smoking, Stress Accelerates Ageing Process

Researchers say that some people age faster than the others due to exposure to harmful toxins in the environment.

The study - conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill - found that exposure to chemicals from cigarettes and paints, and stress could expedite the ageing process of cells.

"The rate of physiologic or molecular aging differs between individuals in part because of exposure to 'gerontogens', i.e., environmental factors that affect aging," said Norman Sharpless from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. "We believe just as an understanding of carcinogens has informed cancer biology, so will an understanding of gerontogens benefit the study of aging. By identifying and avoiding gerontogens, we will be able to influence aging and life expectancy at a public health level."

Previous research has shown that people who smoke, age faster than others. Related studies have found that stress accelerates the ageing process by as many as six years.

Sharpless said that UV radiation and chemotherapy are also strong gerontogens. The research team has developed a mouse model that they plan to use in future studies on ageing.

The team is optimistic that they might have blood tests in the future that could look into people's DNA and determine their rate of ageing. Sharpless said that he has founded a company that is developing molecular tests for ageing, according to a news release.

"We believe the comparison of molecular markers of aging to clinical outcomes should begin in earnest," Sharpless said.

According to the researchers, patients shouldn't be given commercial access to these ageing kits.

"The potential for miscommunication and other harm seems real," he said in a news release.

Health experts say that adding fruits and vegetables to the diet, exercising and getting adequate amount of sleep could slow biological ageing process.

The study paper, Trends in Molecular Medicine, Sorrentino et al.: "Defining the toxicology of aging", is published in the journal Cell Press.