If we observe carefully, we will inevitably find that around us, there are fewer elderly men in the same age group than elderly women. This phenomenon has also been verified by data from relevant surveys and studies.
According to statistics from National Health Commission in 2018, the average life expectancy of women in my country is 77.37 years, while men are 72.38 years old. is five years lower than women. In the demographic survey report released by the World Health Organization , the average life expectancy of men around the world is about 4.5 years lower than that of women.
So, why do men generally have shorter lifespans than women? Today, 1号官网 will talk to you.
Why do men generally have shorter lifespans than women?
In fact, there has always been such a gap in life spans of men and women. The main reasons for this gap are as follows:
- Gene factors
As we all know, normal human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, including 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes .
The sex chromosome of a male individual is XY, while the sex chromosome of a female is XX.
. Men have shorter lifespan than women. The problem may be on this Y chromosome . According to a new study in the top international journal Science, a new study found that men live shorter than women, which may be related to men's loss of Y chromosomes. After men reach the age of 60, about 20% of some cells in the human body will have problems with Y chromosome deletion, and the proportion will increase to 40% after the age of 70.
This new study results show that loss of Y chromosomes in men not only increases the risk of age-related diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease , but also increases the risk of myocardial scarring in men, which may induce heart failure to cause premature death.
- Sex hormone differences
A new study shows that the reason why women often live longer than men may be due to the protective effect of estrogen on chromosomes. Higher estrogens can protect and prolong telomeres of DNA, thereby reducing the occurrence of diseases and prolonging the lifespan of women.
At the same time, estrogen is conducive to regulating blood lipid metabolism, making premenopausal women have less hyperlipidemia than men, and the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases is also lower.
. Although men also secrete a small amount of estrogen in the entire life cycle, the main sex hormone is testosterone.
Testosterone can promote protein synthesis, red blood cells production, maintain male secondary sexual characteristics , promote the development of reproductive organs, and improve sexual desire. But testosterone can also have an adverse effect on men, which may inhibit the body's immune function and make men more susceptible to bacteria and virus infections, resulting in death.
- The impact of living habits
The innate factors play a leading role in life span, and acquired life and behavioral habits will also have an impact on health and life span. Related studies on
Biology and behavioral show that men are more likely to have bad habits such as smoking, alcoholism, drug use, staying up late, and overeating, and they are less concerned about body management than women, so they are more likely to lack exercise or exceed their weight. And once they are diagnosed with the disease, they are often less optimistic than women and can actively receive treatment.
If you want to live a long life, men should get rid of these bad habits as soon as possible!
If male friends want to live longer, it is recommended to change these bad habits as soon as possible:
1. For the sake of yourself and others, it is best not to smoke
Cancer Office Director Chen Wanqing said: "The relationship between smoking and lung cancer has been confirmed as early as the 1950s. A large number of studies have confirmed that smoking is a direct pathogenic factor of lung cancer. The greater the amount of smoking, the greater the risk of illness."
Smoking will not only affect your own health, but will also "silently hurt" your family and friends.The harm of second-hand smoke cannot be underestimated. Studies have confirmed that the release rate of many compounds in second-hand smoke during tobacco combustion is higher than that of first-hand smoke. For example, carbon monoxide , the second-hand smoke release rate is 5 times that of first-hand smoke, tar and nicotine are 3 times that of first-hand smoke, ammonia is 46 times that of nitrosamine (strong carcinogen) is 50 times.
Therefore, quitting smoking is an effective means to improve health and extend lifespan. Quitting smoking as soon as possible will not only benefit your own health, but will also reduce the health risks that second-hand smoke brings to family and friends.
2. Although there are many social engagements, you should drink less alcohol
"Scientific Research Report on Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2021)" pointed out that the monitoring results in 2015 showed that the drinking rate of adult male residents in my country was 64.5% and that of females was 23.1%. Drinkers have an average daily alcohol intake of 30 grams for men and 12.3 grams for women, and their average daily alcohol intake of men is much higher than that for women.
Some people believe that drinking moderately can cause health care only if you are too much, it will cause harm to the body.
But the conclusion of the authoritative medical journal "The Lancet" confirms that the most appropriate amount of alcohol consumption does not exist. Alcohol belongs to a type of carcinogen. Most people who drink for a long time will have physical damage, including the brain, heart, liver, stomach, kidney, peripheral nerves, etc., and about 60 diseases are caused by unhealthy drinking.
Therefore, 1 Yao.com recommends that everyone drink less for their own health or try not to drink alcohol during social events!
3. Stress is high, don’t hold on to
. "2019 World Health Statistics" pointed out that in 2016, the global suicide mortality rate was 75% higher than that of women.
Due to different social roles, men tend to suppress emotions when they encounter stress or negative emotions. Women are better at talking, soothe stress and improve emotions through crying and venting.
Therefore, men should learn to relieve negative emotions through communication, exercise, etc., which is not only beneficial to physical and mental health, but also helps the virtuous cycle of work and life.
Everyone hopes that they can be healthy and live long. To be healthy and long-lasting, 1 Medicine.com recommends that everyone develop good living habits, maintain a healthy body and an optimistic attitude.
