Bad childhood memories may leave a lipid fingerprint
The Association of Childhood Maltreatment With Lipid Peroxidation and DNA Damage in Postpartum Women
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Childhood trauma was linked to free 8-isoprostane (inflammation) but NOT total 8-isoprostane or any DNA damage markers.
Prior studies assumed trauma = general oxidative stress = DNA damage. This study shows it’s selective: inflammation without DNA breaks, which contradicts the dominant narrative.
Practical Takeaways
If you experienced childhood trauma, focus on reducing chronic inflammation: prioritize sleep, omega-3s, mindfulness, and social connection.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Childhood trauma was linked to free 8-isoprostane (inflammation) but NOT total 8-isoprostane or any DNA damage markers.
Prior studies assumed trauma = general oxidative stress = DNA damage. This study shows it’s selective: inflammation without DNA breaks, which contradicts the dominant narrative.
Practical Takeaways
If you experienced childhood trauma, focus on reducing chronic inflammation: prioritize sleep, omega-3s, mindfulness, and social connection.
Publication
Journal
Frontiers in Psychiatry
Year
2019
Authors
C. Boeck, A. Gumpp, A. Koenig, P. Radermacher, A. Karabatsiakis, I. Kolassa
Related Content
Claims (10)
Women who experienced more abuse or neglect as children tend to have higher levels of a specific chemical in their blood that's linked to long-term inflammation, even after having a baby.
Even if someone had a rough childhood, their blood doesn't show more signs of DNA damage from oxidative stress after having a baby, based on multiple tests.
The rise in this chemical after childhood trauma might not mean more cell damage—it might mean the body is stuck in a low-level inflammatory state.
A specific form of a stress-related chemical (free 8-isoprostane) goes up in women with bad childhoods, but the total amount doesn’t—meaning it’s likely tied to body inflammation, not just general cell damage.
Having a tough childhood doesn’t seem to leave a detectable mark on DNA or RNA damage in the blood of new moms, even when accounting for other health factors.