Now You Know Why Women Outlive Men

Women are likely to spend more time in a facility offering assisted living in Ogden than men because they tend to outlive men. Research indicates that the average lifespan of women to be 81.1 years compared to men’s 76.1 years. For decades, scientists have found that women have shown a longer life expectancy in just about every human society.

A better quality of life and medical care are responsible for the improved life expectancy observed in both genders. A large portion of the population is likely to live to a ripe to old age than ever before.

A distinct biological advantage

Women’s ability to enjoy up to five more trips around the sun has everything to do with genetics. Scientists now attribute this longevity to telomeres, a small component of the DNA. Women have longer telomeres from birth, and that is the key to their long life. Short telomeres wear away quickly which increases the likelihood of damaging the DNA. Damaged DNA shortens, cutting years of your longevity.

Women have a high concentration of estrogen, and this hormone helps to combat bad cholesterol in their bodies. That lowers their susceptibility to heart ailments and other cholesterol-related diseases. Estrogen dilates, smooths, and relaxes the blood vessels increasing the flow of blood in the body.

Estrogen is also crucial in protecting the telomeres. Exposure to estrogen boosts the activity of telomerase, an enzyme that protects and increases the length of telomeres. Again, estrogen has antioxidant qualities which are essential in keeping the telomeres from deteriorating.

A lower affinity for risk

Scouring the internet, you’re likely to come across memes and video of men engaging in potentially dangerous activities. You can find a worker attempting to fix a damaged window while balancing precariously on a makeshift structure. Such hazards only service to put their health and wellbeing at risk.

Short life expectancy in men is often connected to ‘man-made diseases that come about due to industrialization. They include exposure to hazardous working conditions at their workplace, which puts them at higher risk of infections. They also include alcoholism, road accidents, and smoking. These factors contribute heavily to male mortality rates in industrial countries.

While these factors affect women as well, the gap in life expectancy continues to grow. That can be explained in part that men tend to overindulge in their chosen vices. They consume more alcohol, smoke more cigarettes, and drive more recklessly compared to women.

A case of treading cautiously

Although the lines tend to get blurred at times, society has clearly defined masculine and feminine roles that persist to date. Women become symbols of beauty, who must keep their bodies youthful and healthy. On the other hand, men are a symbol of power and strength and should submit their bodies to risks and challenges from an early age.

A consequence of this conditioning is that women tend to be more attentive to their bodies than men. They take better care of their bodies and tend to seek medical attention more frequently compared to men. As a result, they benefit from the advancements in medical care and treatments.