Forever chemicals could be speeding our biological clock

Forever chemicals in plastics and food packaging could be accelerating biological ageing.

They have been linked to the ageing of DNA markers known as epigenetic clocks, and men who are between the ages of 50 and 64 are especially susceptible, say researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China.

They analysed blood samples of 326 people, which were tested for 11 different PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) known as forever chemicals, against 12 ‘epigenetic clocks’ to estimate each person’s biological age. Biological age reflects how old the body appears at a cellular level, which may be different from their chronological age.

Forever chemicals were detected in 95 percent of participants, and higher levels were strongly linked to accelerated epigenetic aging in men who were between 50 and 64 years old. Strangely, the chemicals didn’t seem to affect women.

The researchers aren’t sure why middle-aged men were the most vulnerable, but they suspect the effects of the chemicals could be amplified by lifestyle factors, such as smoking and a sugary diet, which increase inflammation in the body.

PFAS are found in non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, fire-fighting foams, food packaging, cleaning supplies, and plastics.

They were developed in the 1960s, and countries are finally starting to act to restrict their use.  France has recently banned PFAS in clothing and cosmetics, and the European Union is considering similar restrictions.

In the meantime, people can reduce their exposure by avoiding packaged foods and not microwaving fast-food containers.

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