ACEs and the Body

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The original ACE study found many negative effects of ACEs on the body, and found that they were associated with a higher likelihood of many of the leading causes of death, including cancer, obesity, COPD, heart disease, and liver disease. Since the study, many researchers have continued this research and found associations between ACES and many other diseases and health behaviors.

As we go through this research, it is essential to remember that just because someone has a high ACE score does not mean they are doomed to develop these outcomes. And if a person has developed a physical health problem due to ACEs, they are not necessarily doomed to have it forever. Healing and resilience are possible, and there are many factors that can prevent these outcomes from happening in the first place and many factors that can lead to their healing if they have occurred.

ACEs and the Risk of Disease

Many studies have found associations between ACEs and many physical health problems. People with more ACEs tend to rate their physical health more poorly. Researchers have found associations between ACEs and:

Childhood asthma (1)
Diabetes (2, 3)
Heart attack (2, 3)
Coronary heart disease (2, 3)
Stroke (2)
Disability(2)
Cancer (3)
Respiratory disease (3)
Functional limitations (4)
Hypertension (5)
Digestive system diseases (5)
Urinary system diseases (5)

In general, these effects tended to be strongest when people had four or more ACEs (2)

There are many explanations for these associations, but overall, the high stress of ACEs can lead to more inflammation, negatively impacting the brain and the body.

Additionally, another explanation is that ACEs can affect our DNA, particularly a part of DNA called telomeres, which essentially are a cap on our DNA that protects it. The stress caused by ACEs can erode these telomeres, which can cause more disease and faster aging (Childhood Disrupted; Nokazawa, 2015).

A third explanation for these associations is that ACEs are associated with fewer healthy behaviors that prevent disease and more risky health behaviors.

ACEs and Health Behaviors

Several studies have found that experiencing more ACEs can be associated with engaging in fewer healthy and more unhealthy behaviors. These include:

More screen time and sitting watching TV (6)
Less physical activity (6)
Fewer daily steps (7)
Worse diet (8)
Fewer hours of sleep (8)

Conclusion

Overall, there is still a lot to learn about the impact of ACEs, but from what we know so far, they can have negative effects on the body.

There is hope for healing following exposure to ACEs. If you or someone you know may be suffering from these negative effects of ACEs, please visit the healing resources page to begin your healing journey and talk to your doctor about possible treatment.

To learn more about the effects of ACEs, please visit the following pages: