Avoiding COVID-19 Slows the Aging Process

Heliox: Where Evidence Meets Empathy

Send us a text

In this episode, we journey into the uncharted territory of COVID-19's impact on our bodies, revealing startling research that connects the virus to accelerated biological aging. As we unpack this complex issue, we discover that COVID-19 is far more than a respiratory illness; it has profound implications for our aging process, affecting us at both cellular and systemic levels.

We begin by exploring how severe cases of COVID-19 can increase biological age by an average of 2.1 years for individuals over 50, linking this change to immune dysfunction triggered by the virus. But even mild infections are not spared; they contribute to telomere shortening, which undermines our cells' ability to repair and replicate effectively.

The discussion takes a poignant turn as we examine how this viral invasion triggers molecular changes in the brain, mimicking decades of natural aging and leading to cognitive decline, even among younger individuals who recover from severe cases.

But it's not all doom and gloom. Discover practical strategies to protect against premature aging, such as effective masking with N95 masks, staying current on vaccinations, maintaining good hygiene, and embracing a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, adequate sleep, and stress management are all vital components of safeguarding our well-being.
Sources:
[1] The impact of COVID-19 on “biological aging” - Frontiers https://frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1399676/full
[2] SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 and the aging immune system - Nature https://nature.com/articles/s43587-021-00114-7
[3] Promoting Healthy Aging During COVID‐19 - PMC - PubMed Central https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8013507/
[4] Accelerated biological aging in COVID-19 patients - Nature https://nature.com/articles/s41467-022-29801-8
[5] Why does COVID-19 disproportionately affect older people? - PMC https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7288963/
[6] Severe COVID-19 is associated with molecular signatures of aging ... https://nature.com/articles/s43587-022-00321-w
[7] Q&A: Even mild COVID-19 cases may accelerate aging process https://healio.com/news/primary-care/20220725/qa-even-mild-covid19-cases-may-accelerate-aging-process
[8] Lasting brain impacts from COVID-19 are equivalent to decades of ... htt

Support the show

About SCZoomers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1632045180447285
https://x.com/SCZoomers
https://mstdn.ca/@SCZoomers
https://bsky.app/profile/safety.bsky.app
Spoken word, short and sweet, with rhythm and a catchy beat.
http://tinyurl.com/stonefolksongs
Curated, independent, moderated, timely, deep, gentle, evidenced-based, clinical & community information regarding COVID-19. Since 2017, it has focused on Covid since Feb 2020, with Multiple Stores per day, hence a large searchable base of stories to date. More than 4000 stories on COVID-19 alone. Hundreds of stories on Climate Change.
Zoomers of the Sunshine Coast is a news organization with the advantages of deeply rooted connections within our local community, combined with a provincial, national and global following and exposure. In written form, audio, and video, we provide evidence-based and referenced stories interspersed with curated commentary, satire and humour. We reference where our stories come from and who wrote, published, and even inspired them. Using a social media platform means we have a much higher degree of interaction with our readers than conventional media and provides a significant amplification effect, positively. We expect the same courtesy of other media referencing our stories.