You may have heard it said, or probably said it yourself. When a friend has lost a spouse or a child, suddenly or otherwise, it seems they have aged 10 years overnight.

There’s some biological truth to it.

A new study from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health has found that deep down – to your cells and molecules – the death of someone close, makes you age faster.

The study found that “people who lost a parent, partner, sibling or child, showed signs of older biological age compared to those who hadn’t experienced such losses”.

Biological ageing is the gradual decline in how well your cells, tissues and organs function, leading to a higher risk of chronic diseases.

As we’ve previously reported, it’s thought that accelerated biological ageing is implicated in the growing number of people under 50 developing cancers.

Scientists measure this type of ageing using DNA markers known as epigenetic clocks.

The study

The new study suggests that the impact of loss on the rate of biological ageing “can be seen long before middle age”.

The researchers used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, which started in 1994-95.

In the first wave of the study, 20,745 adolescents in grades 7 to 12, most of whom were aged 12 to 19, were surveyed.

They were followed from their teenage years into adulthood.

At various times they were asked if any family members or close friends had died in the meantime.

The next stage took place between 2016 and 2018. Of the original participants, 12,300 were again interviewed.

Also between 2016 and 2018, participants were invited to undergo a physical examination in their homes.

Blood samples of nearly 4500 participants was provided for DNA testing.

It was this stage of the experiment that the participants’ rate of ageing was established.

The rate of ageing was assessed against the type of losses – parents, grandparents, children, friends – that were experienced during childhood or adolescence (up to 18 years old) and adulthood (19 to 43 years old).

They also examined the number of losses experienced across this time period.

The analysis

Biological ageing data was assessed from blood DNA methylation using epigenetic clocks including DunedinPACE.

The latter was developed in 2022 by study co-author Dan Belsky and his collaborators at Duke University.

Where other tests aim to measure how old or young a person is, DunedinPACE measures whether you are ageing quickly or slowly. That is, it determines the pace at which you are ageing.

Nearly 40 per cent of participants experienced at least one loss in adulthood between the ages of 33 and 43.

People who experienced two or more losses had older biological ages, according to several epigenetic clocks.

Experiencing two or more losses in adulthood was more strongly linked to biological ageing than one loss and significantly more so than no losses.

Dr Allison Aiello is a professor of health longevity and the study’s lead author.

In a prepared statement she said: “The connection between losing loved ones and health problems throughout life is well established.

“But some stages of life might be more vulnerable to the health risks associated with loss.”

She said the accumulation of loss appears to be a significant factor.

Overall, losing a close family member at any age poses health risks, and repeated losses can increase the risks of heart disease, mortality and dementia.

Impacts may persist or become apparent long after the event.

Previous research

 A 2014 study found that the chances of a heart or stroke attack doubles after a partner’s death.

A 2020 study found that the death of a family pet can trigger prolonged grief in children. This can potentially lead to subsequent mental health issues.

A 2022 study found the loss of a close family member increases risk of death in heart failure patients. This is particularly the case during the first week following the family member’s death.