Researchers from Chinese and British universities have published a study in the journal Science Advances that reveals how exposure to tobacco in utero and smoking in childhood can accelerate aging and increase the risk of chronic diseases. The study analyzed blood samples from 276,000 individuals from the United Kingdom Biobank to understand the impact of tobacco exposure on chronological and biological aging.
The results showed that individuals exposed to tobacco in the womb were biologically older by 0.49 years and had shorter telomeres, which are linked to aging. Those who started smoking in childhood (ages 5-14) were biologically older by 2.51 years and had significantly shorter telomeres. The combination of exposure to tobacco in the womb and smoking in childhood resulted in individuals being biologically older by 2.89 years.
Researchers emphasize the importance of quitting smoking early to resist biological aging and prevent related diseases, regardless of genetic background. The study suggests that early exposure to tobacco can accelerate the onset of chronic diseases and increase the risk of premature death. Quitting smoking at an early age can help prevent the accelerated aging associated with tobacco exposure and reduce the risk of associated diseases.
