Understanding Why Women Live Longer Than Men

Researchers have observed a consistent trend worldwide: women tend to live longer than men. The reasons behind this phenomenon have intrigued scientists for years. Dr. Steven Austad and Dr. Kathleen Fischer from the University of Alabama at Birmingham conducted a detailed review to shed light on this mystery. While the exact cause remains elusive, experts believe that various biological, genetic, evolutionary, and behavioral factors may contribute to women's longer lifespan.

Gender Disparity in Life Expectancy

Dr. Austad and Dr. Fischer analyzed data from The Human Mortality Database spanning over 38 countries since 1751. Their findings revealed that women consistently outlive men in terms of life expectancy at birth, a pattern that persists across different time periods and regions. This longevity advantage is even more pronounced in advanced age, with the majority of supercentenarians being female.

Survival Amid Adversities

An intriguing case study from Iceland showcased women's resilience even in the face of adversities like famines, volcanic eruptions, and disease outbreaks. Despite challenging circumstances, women in Iceland surpassed men in life expectancy during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Health Disparities and Disease Trends

Contemporary data from the U.S. indicates that women exhibit lower mortality rates for most leading causes of death, except for stroke and Alzheimer's disease. These disparities raise questions about the underlying factors influencing women's longevity.

Factors Influencing Women's Longer Lifespan

Several factors may contribute to the gender disparity in life expectancy:

Biological Factors

– X Chromosomes: Women possess two X chromosomes, offering genetic redundancy that men lack, potentially making them more susceptible to genetic diseases.

– Mitochondria: Maternally inherited mitochondria may provide women with a cellular advantage during aging, as they are optimized for female biology.

– Hormonal Differences: Estrogen's protective effects on the heart and anti-inflammatory properties may contribute to women's lower risk of cardiovascular issues compared to men influenced by testosterone.

– Immune System Strength: Research indicates that women often have more resilient immune systems, enabling them to combat infections and diseases effectively.

Evolutionary Perspectives

– Risky Behaviors: Historical engagement in perilous activities by men, such as hunting and warfare, may have contributed to their shorter lifespans over generations.

– Parental Roles: Females' traditional caregiving roles may have conferred an evolutionary advantage, leading to longer life expectancy.

Health Challenges Faced by Women

Despite living longer, women are more prone to chronic health conditions like osteoporosis, arthritis, and chronic pain due to hormonal influences on their connective tissues. This disparity often results in higher disability rates among women, highlighting the complexity of gender-specific health outcomes.

Ongoing research by experts like Dr. Austad and Dr. Fischer aims to unravel the intricate interplay of genetics, hormones, and behavior influencing women's longevity. By understanding these factors, scientists hope to pave the way for improved health outcomes and longevity for all individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find more information about holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare that treats the whole person and not just one body part. Holistic medicine considers all aspects a patient's lives, including their spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being.

Holistic medicine's goal is to treat the whole person rather than just individual symptoms. The focus of holistic medicine is not on curing the disease but on promoting healing.

Holistic medicine encompasses preventive measures, nutrition, and treatment for chronic conditions such arthritis and diabetes.

There are many kinds of holistic medicine.

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Chiropractic medicine
Homeopathy
Herbalism
Naturopathy
Nutrition
Osteopathic medicine
Vedic medicine
Yoga

What are the 5 domains in integrative medicine?

The five domains that make up integrative medicine are mind-body (nutrition, social determinants), lifestyle, and prevention. These five areas are concerned with all aspects, including the physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Integrative medicine aims to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing overall health, wellness, and disease treatment. It covers both traditional medical treatments and alternative therapies like acupuncture, yoga and meditation, as well nutritional counseling and biofeedback.

What is holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine doctors are those who treat patients holistically. They may incorporate western medicine into their treatment, as well as traditional methods such acupuncture or herbs.

They are not interested in treating symptoms but rather a disease. The patient should feel better upon completion of treatment.

The doctor should not only focus on curing the disease but also help prevent future illnesses.

The term “holistic” refers to considering all aspects of one's life.

What are alternative medicines?

Alternative medicine is any treatment that isn't considered medically necessary to treat disease. These include traditional Chinese medicine as well homeopathy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, nutritional therapy and reiki.

Alternative medicine may also refer not to scientific evidence but that have been successfully used in clinical practice. Examples include meditation, hypnosis, yoga, aromatherapy, reflexology, flower essences, and many others.

Which treatments are not part of holistic medicine and why?

Holistic medicine is a holistic approach to healing. It focuses on the whole person and not just the symptoms. Holistic medicine is a way to help people heal from illness. It also promotes good health and helps prevent disease.

Holistic medicine is a natural alternative to drugs and surgery.

Holistic medicine refers to lifestyle changes like exercise, diet and meditation.

Integrative medicine, also known as Holistic Medicine, integrates all aspects a patient's mental, physical, and emotional needs into one comprehensive treatment plan.

Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention as well as early detection of diseases and encourages healthy lifestyles.

Holistic doctors believe there is no one cause for every condition. They look at the whole picture and consider genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and personal factors.

Holistic practitioners emphasize the mind and emotions more than the body.

Holistic physicians collaborate closely with their patients in order to determine the best fit for each individual.

Statistics

The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

What are the main 4 categories of complementary and/or alternative medicine?

The main categories of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are mind-body, natural products as well as manipulative therapies. Mind-body medicine includes yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Reiki, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, homeopathy, aromatherapy, reflexology, naturopathy, biofeedback, hypnosis, and herbalism. Natural products include herbs and vitamins, minerals as well as dietary supplements. Manipulative therapies include physical manipulation such as osteopathic and chiropractic care, acupuncture, therapeutic exercise, and bodywork. Prayer and visualization are some of the techniques used for energy healing.

CAM can be used to describe a range of alternative health practices, which are not part of the traditional Western medical model. There are many differences in the scientific support for these practices, including whether they involve drugs and surgery, as well as which conditions they treat. Some CAM practitioners also perform diagnostic testing (e.g., blood tests) and prescribe medication. Others do both.

There are several subcategories to each category that go beyond the four primary categories. There are many subcategories within mind-body medicines, such as relaxation techniques and mindfulness training. Natural products include nutritional supplement, botanical medicines and homeopathic remedies. Manual, movement, manipulation, electrotherapies and soft tissue mobilization are some of the manipulative therapies. There are spiritual healing modalities such as prayer and faith healing within energy healing.

Many CAM remedies treat symptoms, but don't address the cause. Some chronic diseases might be relieved by CAM. If used properly, CAM can be combined with conventional treatments.

There are many reasons that people use CAM.

To improve their overall health.
To manage a particular condition.
To reduce pain or discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief.

People turn to CAM for greater control of their health than conventional medicine. Some may feel it has less side effects. Some people choose CAM to not take prescription drugs. Some prefer not taking prescription medications if at all possible. Some people seek out CAM to avoid having to repeat the same mistakes they had with traditional medicine.

Some people who use CAM want to know what they are doing before they try something new. Many CAM users want to know more about the safety of CAM. Others rely on word of mouth from friends and family members.

Although CAM can be viewed negatively by society in general, most users feel positive about it. People who use CAM are healthier and happier than those that don't. This holds true regardless of gender, age, race, religion, income level, occupation, insurance status or any other factors.

A large majority of Americans practice some form or another of complementary and alternative medicines. 95% or more of adult Americans have used some type of CAM in their lives. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health was able to estimate that around 40 million people visited CAM practitioners in 2010 alone.

The NCCIH estimates that 10% of the U.S. population is treated by chiropractors or massage therapists.

2013 was a year that the American Medical Association (AMA) reaffirmed its support of integrative medicine. The American Medical Association recognized the need for physicians to “integrate scientifically supported complementary and alternate medicine into clinical practice…to satisfy patients' needs and expectations.”5

The Institute of Medicine published a groundbreaking report in 2007 entitled “Relaxing Contraints: Improving access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” It concluded that there is no credible evidence that any particular CAM intervention is effective in treating or preventing cancer.

CAM continues growing in popularity despite these findings. The number of CAM practitioners grew by 8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007.

A recent study found that almost half of the respondents reported using CAM as part of their primary healthcare regimen.

CAM therapies include natural products, mind-body practices, manipulative techniques, energy healing modalities, exercise, dietary supplements, and other approaches.

Many CAM treatments are used primarily for pain relief. However, they can also be used to improve mood, sleep quality, stress reduction, and immunity.

Acupuncture, for example, can relieve chronic back pain, lower anxiety and depression, improve immune function and promote weight loss.

Many CAM treatments draw on Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine. These roots can be traced back thousands of decades.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for instance, originated over 5,000 years ago. This practice has been in China since antiquity.

TCM has remained an important component in health care even though it was not until the middle of 1800s that Western science became popular.

TCM has become a popular treatment option for more than 70% of the population in the United States.

Yoga is another popular CAM treatment. Yoga originated in India around 5000 B.C. Yoga is now widely accepted worldwide.

Yoga has been gaining popularity with the general population because it provides many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.

Although limited scientific research has been done, yoga may have beneficial effects on sleep33.

Other CAM therapies are also gaining acceptance in mainstream medicine, including meditation, homeopathy, and aromatherapy.

One of the most used types of CAM is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines are made up of herbs, spices flowers, seeds fruits, nuts, bark, leaves and roots.

They are often considered safer options to pharmaceutical drugs, and they are widely used by customers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

The American Cancer Society reports that 45% (or more) of those diagnosed with cancer have used alternative medicines during their illness.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of patients with cancer use CAM, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

According to a recent study 51% of cancer survivors used at least one type CAM.

However, only 8% of these individuals discussed this use with their physicians.

This communication gap between conventional medical providers, CAM users and traditional doctors is a major problem in healthcare delivery.

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