Stress and depression can shorten women’s life, says study

Klotho is a hormone that regulates aging and enhances cognition. According to a recent study performed by University of California scientists, it was revealed that longevity hormone is lower in stressed and depressed women.

To prove the relationship between psychological influences and klotho, the scientists compared mothers of children on the autism spectrum to low-stress controls. They also found that the women in their study with clinically significant depressive symptoms had even lower levels of klotho in their blood than those who were under stress but not experiencing such symptoms.

From the research done in mice and worms, the scientists found that when klotho is disrupted, it promotes symptoms of aging, such as hardening of the arteries and the loss of muscle and bone, and when klotho is made more abundant, the animals live longer.

“Our findings suggest that klotho, which we now know is very important to health, could be a link between chronic stress and premature disease and death,” said lead author, Aric Prather, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry at UCSF.

Experts say that, there is no such thing as a stress-free life but learning how to manage stress will not only help you live longer but actually enjoy those extra years even more.

By Lizitha