How COVID-19 Accelerates Aging: What You Need to Know

It started as a mild case—just a scratchy throat, nasal congestion, and fatigue. Classic COVID-19 symptoms. I recovered quickly, but weeks later, something wasn’t right. My energy had plummeted, my sleep felt disrupted, and I woke up each day feeling like I had aged a decade. As a longevity physician, I knew something was happening beneath the surface.

Turns out, I wasn’t wrong. COVID-19 doesn’t just affect your lungs; it speeds up your biological aging.

How Does COVID-19 Accelerate Aging?

COVID-19 is more than just a respiratory virus—it can leave lasting damage, particularly on your biological age. Recent studies have revealed a concerning connection between SARS-CoV-2 infection and accelerated biological aging, measured through markers like telomere length and epigenetic changes [1]. In other words, the virus may actually make you age faster at a cellular level.

Epigenetic Aging: What’s Happening Inside Your Cells?

In a groundbreaking study by Cao et al., COVID-19 patients—especially those with severe disease—showed signs of epigenetic age acceleration. This means their cells appeared to be aging more rapidly, as seen by changes in their epigenetic markers and telomere shortening [1]. These telomeres, which act like the protective caps on the ends of our chromosomes, shorten as we age. When they degrade prematurely, it's a clear sign of accelerated aging.

But it’s not just patients with severe cases. A study by Mongelli et al. showed that even COVID-19 survivors with mild symptoms displayed increased biological age compared to those who were never infected [2].

Why Does COVID-19 Cause Accelerated Aging?

The question remains: why does COVID-19 seem to speed up the clock on our cells?

The Role of Cellular Senescence

One key culprit is cellular senescence. This process occurs when cells stop dividing and start releasing inflammatory molecules. Essentially, they enter a state of “zombie-like” inactivity, contributing to tissue dysfunction and chronic inflammation. COVID-19 appears to induce widespread cellular senescence, especially in lung epithelial cells and endothelial cells, which line blood vessels [5].

Cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging, and its increase during COVID-19 accelerates processes like inflammation, oxidative stress, and even organ damage—all of which compound to make you feel and age faster [6].

Chronic Inflammation: The Silent Agitator

COVID-19 also triggers long-lasting inflammation, another major driver of aging. This inflammation affects organs far beyond the lungs, leading to systemic issues like heart disease, brain fog, and persistent fatigue—symptoms commonly reported by long COVID sufferers. The chronic inflammation caused by COVID-19 exacerbates aging mechanisms, contributing to an accelerated decline in health [5][6].

Is the Damage Permanent?

The big question: is this accelerated aging reversible?

Rapamycin: The Potential Anti-Aging Solution

There’s good news. Some scientists believe that anti-aging interventions, such as rapamycin, may help reverse the cellular damage caused by COVID-19. Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, has been shown to reduce oxidative stress, decrease cellular senescence, and even lengthen telomeres in some cases [7]. Its use in longevity medicine is promising, and now researchers are exploring its potential in reversing COVID-induced aging.

However, while rapamycin holds potential, it’s not a magic bullet. Its immunosuppressive potential at higher doses mean that it must be used cautiously. In my own practice, I evaluate each case before determining whether a patient should stay on rapamycin intermittently (used for longevity purposes) or take a drug holiday when actively ill with COVID. Post-COVID symptoms require a separate evaluation. Regardless, it’s important to consult with an experienced longevity physician if you are considering such an intervention.

How to Protect Yourself From Accelerated Aging

While researchers continue to explore solutions like rapamycin, prevention remains the best strategy for protecting yourself from the aging effects of COVID-19.

1. Prioritize Vaccination and Prevention
Preventing infection in the first place is key. Vaccination and following preventive measures can help reduce the risk of severe infection and long COVID, which are more strongly associated with biological aging.

2. Combat Inflammation Through Lifestyle Choices
Adopt anti-inflammatory habits, such as eating a nutrient-rich diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress. These measures can help mitigate the chronic inflammation linked to both aging and post-COVID symptoms.

3. Consider Longevity Interventions
If you’ve had COVID-19 and are concerned about its long-term effects on aging, you might want to consult a longevity physician. There are growing options for reversing some of the cellular damage, from senolytics (drugs that clear out senescent cells) to more advanced anti-aging therapies.

Conclusion: COVID-19 and Your Biological Age

COVID-19’s long-lasting impact on biological aging is still being uncovered, but what we do know is troubling. The virus can trigger cellular senescence, chronic inflammation, and telomere shortening—all hallmarks of accelerated aging. While anti-aging interventions like rapamycin show promise, the best strategy is prevention and early intervention.

As the long-term effects of COVID-19 come into focus, it’s crucial to understand how to protect your health—and your biological age—from its lasting impact.

References:

1. Cao X, Li W, Wang T, et al. Accelerated Biological Aging in COVID-19 Patients. Nature Communications. 2022;13(1):2135. doi:10.1038/s41467-022-29801-8.
2. Mongelli A, Barbi V, Gottardi Zamperla M, et al. Evidence for Biological Age Acceleration and Telomere Shortening in COVID-19 Survivors. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(11):6151. doi:10.3390/ijms22116151.
3. Bejaoui Y, Humaira Amanullah F, Saad M, et al. Epigenetic Age Acceleration in Surviving Versus Deceased COVID-19 Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Following Hospitalization. Clinical Epigenetics. 2023;15(1):186. doi:10.1186/s13148-023-01597-4.
4. Campisi M, Cannella L, Bordin A, et al. Revealing the Hidden Impacts: Insights Into Biological Aging and Long-Term Effects in Pauci- And Asymptomatic COVID-19 Healthcare Workers. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024;25(15):8056. doi:10.3390/ijms25158056.
5. Schmitt CA, Tchkonia T, Niedernhofer LJ, et al. COVID-19 and Cellular Senescence. Nature Reviews Immunology. 2023;23(4):251-263. doi:10.1038/s41577-022-00785-2.
6. Salimi S, Hamlyn JM. COVID-19 and Crosstalk With the Hallmarks of Aging. The Journals of Gerontology Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2020;75(9). doi:10.1093/gerona/glaa149.
7. Konopka AR, Lamming DW. Blazing a Trail for the Clinical Use of Rapamycin as a geroprotecTOR. GeroScience. 2023;45(5):2769-2783. doi:10.1007/s11357-023-00935-x.

‍

Until next time - Cheers to your health!

Hillary Lin, MD