Educational Level Has Impact on Ageing Process

Recently published research has shown that those who have missed out on their education and have few qualifications are likely to age faster than those who have had the benefits of further and higher education.

The longterm health study was undertaken by researchers from the UK and the US. The telomeres of around 450 people, divided into four educational groups, were studied. The scientists found that people who did not do very well at school tended to have shorter telomeres, a sign that ageing is underway.

The telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes from damage and from losing cell functions that are linked to the ageing process.

Stephen Holgate of the British Medical Research Council which co-sponsored the research said: "The key implication of this study backs up one of the main messages to have come out of long-term studies, that your experiences early in life can have important influences on your health."

As with all observational research added Mr Holgate, it was difficult to get to the root causes of the findings, but the results of the study did show that a good education brought other benefits in life aside from simply the ability to gain a better job.

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