By having strong bonds with others, Helps you live longer.
A new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunology – Health found that: social relationships It can actually slow down cellular aging.
While these connections are known to have a positive impact on overall health, researchers at Cornell University focused on their long-term benefits on biological aging.
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Researchers used data from 2,117 U.S. adults, family relationships, spiritual support, religious involvement, and community involvement.
These scores were then matched against biological markers such as cellular aging, inflammation and stress hormone function, with a focus on the ‘epigenetic clock’ that estimates the pace of aging.
It turns out that people with high CSA have slower biological aging, less inflammation, and no effect on stress hormones.
The researchers also noted that higher social dominance was associated with lower levels of interleukin-6, a molecule that causes inflammation. heart disease, Diabetes and neurodegeneration.
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Anthony Ong, lead author of the study and professor of psychology and director of the Human Health Lab at the College of Human Ecology in New York, described how he was “shocked” to discover how physically relationships affect people at the molecular level.
“We found that strong social ties can literally slow down the biological aging process,” he said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “Strong social bonds appear to work in the background over many years, building a more resilient body by reducing chronic low-grade inflammation, a major factor in accelerated aging.”
Ong further elaborates on the findings in a Cornell Chronicle article. “This paper builds on fundamental research published last year showing how cumulative social advantage is related to positive affect. health outcomes” he wrote.
“This new study digs deeper into the same data to understand the biological mechanisms. Essentially, we understand how social connections get under our skin and influence aging at a molecular level.”
The four key areas of connectedness include “the warmth and support you received from your parents when you were growing up, how connected you feel to your community and neighborhood, and your religion and religious participation.” faith-based communityand continued emotional support from friends and family,” Mr Ong elaborated.
“What’s surprising is the cumulative effect. These social resources build on each other over time,” he continued. “It’s not just about the friends you have today, it’s about how your social connections have grown and deepened throughout your life. That accumulation shapes your life.” health trajectory In a measurable way. ”
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This doesn’t mean that one friendship or community experience adds years to a person’s life, but the “depth and consistency of social connections” across the lifespan is “very important,” the researchers noted.
“Think of social connections like a retirement account,” Ong recommended. “The earlier you start investing and the more you continue to contribute, the greater your returns will be.”
“Our research shows that these returns are not just emotional, but biological. People with richer and more lasting social connections literally age more slowly at the cellular level. Good aging means both.” stay healthy And maintaining connections, they are inseparable. ”
Investing in high-quality relationships is as important to physical health as diet and exercise, Mr Ong said, as connections can have a “significant impact on how the body ages.”
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“A useful analogy is to think of the body as a house that must weather the storms of life,” he said. “Every strong friendship is like an extra layer of insulation, and every supportive family member strengthens that foundation.”
