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According to a new study, stress would accelerate the aging of the immune system and increase the risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diseases due to viral infections.
We know that stress is bad for our health. American researchers are now revealing that it could even be responsible for the early decline of our immune system!
Stress bad for our immune defenses
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have been trying to understand the link between lifelong stress exposure – and immune system decline, also known as immunosenescence.
To do this, they surveyed 5,744 adults over 50, asking them to answer a questionnaire that assessed their experiences with social stress (stressful events, chronic stress, discrimination, etc.). All also provided blood samples which were analyzed.
Result: volunteers with higher than average stress scores had more “aged” immune systems (more tired white blood cells, fewer T lymphocytes – “fighting” cells to defend the body in the event of an intruder ). During aging, these cells decrease in number and undergo an alteration in their functioning, which reduces their efficiency.
These results could partly explain the links between stress and diseases such as cancer, but also cardiovascular diseases, pneumonia, a less effective response to vaccination and premature aging of organs.
Balanced diet and sport strengthen immunity
T cells – an essential component of immunity – mature in a gland called the thymus. As people age, the tissue in their thymus shrinks and is replaced by fatty tissue, which reduces the production of immune cells. Previous research suggests that this process is accelerated by lifestyle factors like poor diet and low exercise, both of which are associated with social stress. which is also found in this study.
“In this study, after controlling for poor diet and low exercise, the link between stress and accelerated immune aging was not as strong.“, said Dr. Eric Klopack, lead author.
According to him, “itThis means that people who experience more stress tend to have poorer eating and exercise habits, which partly explains why they have more accelerated immune aging.e”.
Improving dietary and exercise habits in older adults may help offset stress-associated immune aging.
Vaccination against CMV to reduce the effects of stress on immunity?
CytoMegaloVirus (CMV) is a common virus that is usually asymptomatic in humans, but is known to accelerate immune aging. Like shingles or cold sores, CMV remains dormant most of the time, but can emerge under high stress.
According to the results of the researchers, this link was confirmed. The researchers believe that vaccination against CMV could be an interesting avenue for reducing the effects of stress on the immune system.
Although further work is needed, these results contribute to the understanding of early aging of the immune system.
With age or disease, immunity weakens and the body becomes more vulnerable to infections. To optimize its immune defenses, various measures can be adopted:
- Take a course of probiotics;
- Practice regular physical activity;
- Fill up with vitamin D (it contributes to the balance of the microbiota and the activation of white blood cells);
- Eat well (by consuming proteins, omega 3, fibers and vitamins, etc.);
- Do a cure of magnesium, an essential mineral against stress.