Extreme Hot Weather Accelerates Aging Process, Here's The Fact

Illustration of extreme hot weather (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Exposure to constant high temperatures can accelerate the process of biological aging, especially in the elderly. Extreme temperatures not only increase the risk of various diseases, but can also accelerate changes in the body related to age.

A recent study published in the journal Science Advances found individuals aged 56 years and over living in areas with high heat wave frequency accelerating biological aging faster than those living in areas with more stable temperatures.

Quoted from Health, high temperatures can have various negative health impacts, especially for the elderly. Extreme heat can increase the possibility of hospitalization, trigger cardiovascular disease, cause kidney dysfunction, and even increase the risk of death.

Eunyoung Choi, PhD, a researcher from Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, explained that although the impact of extreme heat does not immediately appear, its effect on the body can be very detrimental.

In this study, Choi and his team analyzed blood samples from 3,679 participants aged 56 years or older. The sample was taken for six years in a national Health and Pension Study.

The researchers examined changes in the epigenetics of the process where external environmental factors activate or disable certain genes through DNA methylation. To measure this impact, they use epigenetic clocks that estimate a person's biological age based on a methyl pattern.

The results show that individuals living in areas with extreme temperatures experience an acceleration of biological aging up to 14 months faster than those living in areas with lower temperatures.

Cities like Phoenix and airing in Arizona, Brownsville and Laredo in Texas, as well as Miami and Tampa in Florida are among the areas with the highest exposure to heat.

"This area is experiencing days with extreme temperatures of more than 140 days per year, with the hot index reaching or exceeding 90 degrees Fahrenheit," said Choi.

The study also showed that although factors such as levels of physical activity, alcohol consumption, and socio-economic status were taken into account, the relationship between the heat temperature and the acceleration of aging remained significant.

Choi explained that high temperatures can trigger cellular stress and inflammation, as well as disrupt the pattern of DNA methylization, which can ultimately accelerate the aging process.

However, this study has some limitations. The researchers do not have data related to the use of AC by participants, which could be a mitigation factor to the impact of extreme heat. In addition, the accuracy of epigenetic clocks in measuring aging in populations with diverse genetic and environmental backgrounds still needs to be studied further.

Although moving to a region with cooler temperatures is not an easy solution for many people, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of extreme heat on the body. Pull Benmarhnia, PhD, a professor at the Scrips Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, suggested the following steps:

1. Maintain hydration Drink enough water to avoid dehydration that can exacerbate the effects of heat.

2. Stay indoors If possible, avoid outdoor activities at the hottest hours.

3. Using an air conditioner or a fan If the house has no air conditioning, looking for an air-conditioned place like a local cooler can be a solution.

4. Wear appropriate clothes Use light clothes and that can absorb sweat to reduce the impact of heat on the body.

"By wearing comfortable clothes and keeping the body hydrated, we can reduce pressure due to heat and maintain better health," added Choi.

The heat wave that is increasingly occurring due to climate change is a serious concern, especially for the elderly population. Therefore, understanding and implementing mitigation strategies is very important to maintain health and slow down the aging process due to exposure to high temperatures.