HormonesHow Chronic Stress Hormones Accelerate Every Major Hallmark of Aging
Glucocorticoids are stress hormones that, in short bursts, help the body adapt. But when chronically elevated — from ongoing psychological stress, poor sleep, obesity, inflammation, or long-term steroid medications — they appear to accelerate biological aging across multiple systems. This review from top researchers including Carlos López-Otín and Guido Kroemer maps how chronic glucocorticoid signaling disrupts nutrient sensing, suppresses autophagy, impairs mitochondrial function, and promotes cellular senescence. A key player is a protein called ACBP/DBI, which blocks the cellular cleanup process of autophagy and worsens metabolic and immune aging. The clinical consequences include earlier onset of metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, muscle loss, neurodegeneration, heart disease, immune decline, and cancer. The authors also discuss potential strategies to counteract these effects.
