Lead and cadmium exposure was associated with faster epigenetic aging in a representative sample of adults aged 50 and older in the United States.

Seung-Woo Ryoo, Baek-Yong Choi, Seok-Yoon Son, Ji-Hyeon Lee, Jin-Young Min, Kyoung-Bok Min

Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

Lead and cadmium are among the most prevalent environmental toxicants and are highly detrimental to human health. While prior studies link heavy metal exposure to reduced telomere length and increased DNA methylation age, their relationship with epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) remains understudied. This study investigates whether exposure to lead and cadmium accelerates biological aging.

The following analysis is generated by AI and may contain errors. It is separate from the authors’ abstract and is not peer review.

Research summary

Lead and cadmium exposure accelerates biological aging in adults aged 50 and older. This study addresses the impact of environmental toxicants on biological aging, which is directly related to the root causes of aging and longevity.

Author of this paper? Send a correction.