It is generally acknowledged than men have a shorter life expectancy than women. The current life expectancy for men is 79.5 years old in the UK, while women can be expected to live to an average of 82.5 years old - and this is echoed across the globe.
But why do men die before women?
A recent study, led by Uppsala University researchers, shows a correlation between a loss of the Y chromosome in blood cells and both a shorter life span and higher mortality from cancer in other organs.
Men have a shorter average life span than women and both the incidence and mortality in cancer is higher in men than in women. However, the mechanisms and possible risk factors behind this sex-disparity are largely unknown. Alterations in DNA of normal cells accumulate throughout our lives and have been linked to diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
In a study recently published in the journal Nature Genetics an international team of researchers have analysed the DNA in blood samples from a group of more than 1,600 elderly men. They found that the most common genetic alteration was a loss of the Y chromosome in a proportion of the white blood cells.
The group of men was studied for many years and the researchers could detect a correlation between the loss of the Y chromosome and shorter survival.
"Men who had lost the Y chromosome in a large proportion of their blood cells had a lower survival, irrespective of cause of death. We could also detect a correlation between loss of the Y chromosome and risk of cancer mortality", says Lars Forsberg, researcher at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, who has led the study.
16 Foods Good For Longevity
Asparagus(01 of17)
Open Image ModalAsparagus is anti-inflammatory and provides digestive support, according to "The Longevity Kitchen," a book that explains the life-extending benefits of healthy foods. (credit:Alamy)
Avocado(02 of17)
Open Image ModalIn addition to helping lower levels of bad cholesterol, avocados destroy cancerous and precancerous cells, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Basil(03 of17)
Open Image ModalThis anti-inflammatory herb has been shown to "slow the growth of disease-causing bacteria" and protect liver cells, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Blueberries(04 of17)
Open Image ModalThis superfruit is anti-inflammatory and helps improves brain and heart health, wrote Rebecca Katz and Mat Edelson in "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Shutterstock)
Coffee(05 of17)
Open Image ModalDark Chocolate(06 of17)
Open Image ModalThis treat can reduce your blood pressure and improve your heart health. Not surprisingly, studies also show dark chocolate to be a mood enhancer, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Garlic(07 of17)
Open Image ModalGarlic may not be good for your breath, but it does help prevent damage to blood vessels, wrote the authors of "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Green Tea(08 of17)
Open Image ModalAccording to "The Longevity Kitchen,"green tea has several major health benefits. The antioxidant found in green tea is useful in treating breast, lung and prostate cancer. Green tea also prevents bad cholesterol from forming and can help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite. (credit:Alamy)
Kale(09 of17)
Open Image Modal"[Kale] goes way off the charts with certain nutrients, providing more than ten times the recommended daily intake of vitamin K, a key regulator of inflammation, and three times the recommended daily intake of vitamin A, which is vital to eye health and maintaining moisture in the skin and mucous membranes," according to "The Longevity Kitchen." Kale can also reduce your cholesterol, and is associated with reduced risk of ovarian, breast and colon cancer. (credit:Shutterstock)
Olive Oil(10 of17)
Open Image ModalOlive oil has several major health benefits: it helps protect the heart, reduces the risk of respiratory, colon, upper GI track and breast cancer, and helps prevent stroke, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Pomegranate(11 of17)
Open Image ModalIn addition to being anti-inflammatory, pomegranate is good for your cardiovascular health and helps lower blood pressure, wrote the authors of "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Getty Images)
Sweet Potato(12 of17)
Open Image ModalAs stated in "The Longevity Kitchen," this tasty tuber helps regulate blood pressure, provides support for your immune system and contains nutrients that help reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. (credit:Alamy)
Thyme(13 of17)
Open Image ModalThis fragrant spice helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also helps neutralize common pathogens such as E. Coli, according to "The Longevity Kitchen." (credit:Alamy)
Walnuts(14 of17)
Open Image Modal"Wanuts offer tremendous heart health benefits," the book's authors write. "They reduce inflammation, bad cholesterol (LDL), and risk of blood clots and can help prevent bone loss." (credit:Alamy)
Wild Salmon(15 of17)
Open Image ModalSalmon contins more healthful omega-3 fatty acids than any other fish. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation throughout the body and may reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which causes blindness. (credit:Alamy)
Yogurt(16 of17)
Open Image ModalAs stated in "The Longevity Kitchen," yogurt helps maintain and restore healthy bacteria in our body and fights against conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and Crohn's disease. (credit:Alamy)
'The Longevity Kitchen'(17 of17)
Open Image ModalThe Y chromosome is only present in men and the genes contained on the Y chromosome have so far mostly been associated with sex determination and sperm production.
"You have probably heard before that the Y chromosome is small, insignificant and contains very little genetic information. This is not true. Our results indicate that the Y chromosome has a role in tumour suppression and they might explain why men get cancer more often than women. We believe that analyses of the Y chromosome could in the future become a useful general marker to predict the risk for men to develop cancer", says Jan Dumanski, professor at the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, and responsible for the study.