Tall People Could Have Shorter Lifespans Than Shorter People Because Of DNA Changes, Scientists Suggest
Tall People Could Have Shorter Lifespans Than Shorter Folk Because Of This
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
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Taller or bigger people and animals might live shorter lives due to DNA changes which occur when a person grows, according to scientists.
Research carried out on wild house sparrows showed how changes in DNA that are linked to ageing and lifespan take place as body size increases, PA reports.
The research focused on telomeres, which are special DNA structures that all animals (including humans) have at the ends of their chromosomes. These are said to function like "the protective plastic caps at the end of shoelaces".
Skeletally bigger house sparrows had shorter telomeres, which resulted in cells and tissues in the body functioning less well.
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The study was conducted jointly by the University of Glasgow's Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health And Comparative Medicine and the Centre of Biodiversity Dynamics at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Pat Monaghan, professor of zoology at the University of Glasgow, who supervised the telomere analysis, said: "Growing a bigger body means that cells have to divide more. As a result, telomeres become eroded faster and cells and tissues function less well as a result.
"The reason why the bigger individuals have shorter telomeres might also be related to increased DNA damage due to growing faster. Being big can have advantages, of course, but this study shows that it can also have costs."
Thor Harald Ringsby, associate professor in population ecology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, said: "The results from this study are very exciting and broad reaching. It is especially interesting that we obtained these results in a natural population.
"The reduction in telomere size that followed the increase in body size suggests one important mechanism that limits body size evolution in wild animal populations."
"Part of living to 100 seems to require having the right personality," Dr. Perls says. "It appears that centenarians manage their stress, rather than letting it manage them. They don't internalize stress, which has been linked to heart disease and high blood pressure, cancer and Alzheimer's. Of the centenarians we have tested, many scored low in neuroticism, meaning that they tend not to dwell on things." (credit:Shutterstock)
Life Extender: Veggie Diet(02 of08)
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According to a recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, diets that incorporate fats and proteins from vegetables instead of meat may help to lower the risk of heart disease. (credit:Shutterstock)
Life Extender: Pearly Whites(03 of08)
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Well-flossed teeth may mean a longer life. Studies by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found a link between dental problems, such as chronic inflammation of the gums and gingivitis, and heart disease. (credit:Alamy)
Life Extender: Genetics(04 of08)
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Not much you can do about this, but Dr. Perls's research has found that those who have a relative who made it past 100 are more likely to pass the century mark as well. "Longevity runs strongly in families," he says. "If you're generally healthy, you'll live to about 88 years, and to go those additional 12, you'll probably need at least one family member who has reached the 90s." (credit:Alamy)
Life Ender: Smoking(05 of08)
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"If you smoke, you may automatically take 15 years off your life," Dr. Perls says. "Few centenarians smoke, and even exposure to secondhand smoke is a concern." However, according to research published in the American Journal of Public Health, if you were a smoker but quit, you'll likely outlive those who continue to puff away. (credit:Shutterstock)
Life Ender: Isolation(06 of08)
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"Being close to family members appears to provide an important social safety net," Dr. Perls says. "Centenarians tend to be gregarious and funny. Rarely do they come across as grumpy loners." (credit:Shutterstock)
Life Ender: Spare Tires(07 of08)
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"Obesity is quite rare among centenarians, especially in men," Dr. Perls says. "Many believe in moderation in many aspects of their lives." (credit:Shutterstock)
Life Ender: Sleepless Nights(08 of08)
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Are you snoozing fewer than six hours a night? If so, you're risking membership in the 100 Club. Studies have linked heart disease to a lack of shut-eye — particularly with fewer than those six hours. (credit:Shutterstock)