AI Finds Smoking Makes People Biologically Older
Smoking cigarettes has long been known to cause premature aging of the skin and lungs, but research published by Artificial Intelligence (AI) scientists has now linked smoking to biological aging as well. In analyzing the genetic markers of smokers and non-smokers, AI has pinpointed smoking as an important factor in biologic aging, a process that is accelerated beyond the normal aging of organs and tissues.
The Study
Two leading AI teams in the UK and Norway jointly conducted a study on biological aging, focusing on the differences between smokers and non-smokers. The study was published in Nature Communications at the end of 2020, and analyzed the genetic data of more than 5,000 people over age 50 in both countries. The participants were then split into two groups – those who smoke and those who don’t.
The AI teams studied the “epigenetics” of the participants, which is a measure of chemical changes to the DNA. These changes indicate how quickly the body is aging on a molecular level. The AI then compared the epigenetic data between smokers and non-smokers and identified changes that were more pronounced in those who smoke.
What Did the Study Find?
The study found that those who smoke cigarettes had quicker biological aging than those who do not. Specifically, it found that the smokers had significantly more epigenetic changes than the non-smokers. This means that their bodies have gone through more cellular aging than the non-smokers.
The changes were also not limited to any one organ or body system. Instead, they were found in many different parts of the body, indicating that smoking impacts many areas and could affect overall health.
Why Does the Study Matter?
This study provides further evidence of the negative health effects of smoking cigarettes. The findings might indicate why those who smoke often have more wrinkles and aged skin than those who don’t. It could also be behind the higher risk for many diseases that are associated with smoking.
The study also highlights the power of AI to detect subtle biological markers that can provide insight into how lifestyle factors can impact health. AI is increasingly being used in medical research, and this study shows how its use can uncover new information about how our bodies work and react to different influences.
Health Implications of Smoking
In addition to causing biological aging, smoking has a range of health implications. It increases your risk of many different types of cancer, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, mouth cancer, and throat cancer. It also increases your risk of stroke and heart disease, along with other more minor conditions such as colds, flu, and bronchitis.
In addition, those who smoke can experience cell damage, which prevents the body from healing properly and increases the risk of infection. Smoking can also cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen in your blood, which can be dangerous for those with underlying medical conditions.
Quitting Smoking Can Combat Biological Aging
The good news is that quitting smoking can significantly reduce the amount of cellular damage and reverse the premature aging that smoking can cause. By quitting, you can reduce your risk of developing serious medical conditions and make your body healthier overall.
Many people find it difficult to quit and require support to do so. Many countries offer support programs to help those who are trying to quit. In the United States, this includes the National Cancer Institute’s Smoking Quitline, which provides counseling and resources to help people quit.
The AI study provides further evidence of the negative health effects of smoking and the need to quit in order to reduce the risk of serious disease and premature aging. Those who are trying to quit should seek out help and support to ensure they are able to give up cigarettes successfully. With the right support, quitting can help to improve your overall health and longevity.