Stress Ages the Immune System: Study

Findings suggest ways to counter chronic stress, preserve attack-ready immune cells

We lose healthy immune cells over the course of our lives, especially if we are often stressed, eat poorly, and don't exercise. 4 PM production/Shutterstock

We’ve all heard that too much stress can hurt our health. Stress contributes to ailments such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

Now, a study published on June 13 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), shows that years of accumulated stress can more rapidly age the immune system. This finding could help explain disparities in health outcomes among people of the same chronological age, and provide insight to help those affected by stress.