Dog owners know that larger breeds of dogs tend to be shorter-lived.http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-05/uoha-hsr050814.php
PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 8-May-2014
Contact: Tina Shelton
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu-based study reveals shorter men live longer
Short height and long life have a direct connection in Japanese men, according to new research based on the Kuakini Honolulu Heart Program (HHP) and the Kuakini Honolulu-Asia Aging Study (HAAS).
"We split people into two groups – those that were 5-foot-2 and shorter, and 5-4 and taller," said Dr. Bradley Willcox, one of the investigators for the study and a Professor in the University of Hawai`i (UH) John A. Burns School of Medicine's Department of Geriatric Medicine. "The folks that were 5-2 and shorter lived the longest. The range was seen all the way across from being 5-foot tall to 6-foot tall. The taller you got, the shorter you lived."
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The researchers showed that shorter men were more likely to have a protective form of the longevity gene, FOXO3, leading to smaller body size during early development and a longer lifespan. Shorter men were also more likely to have lower blood insulin levels and less cancer.
"This study shows for the first time, that body size is linked to this gene," said Dr. Willcox. "We knew that in animal models of aging. We did not know that in humans. We have the same or a slightly different version in mice, roundworms, flies, even yeast has a version of this gene, and it's important in longevity across all these species."
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Dr. Willcox noted that there is no specific height or age range that should be targeted as a cut-off in the study, in part because "no matter how tall you are, you can still live a healthy lifestyle" to offset having a typical FOXO3 genotype rather than the longevity-enhancing form of the FOXO3 gene.
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2 comments:
I have studied longevity and height for about 40 years and I have published in about 40 medical, nutritional, and scientific journals and books. My work has found a longevity advantage for shorter people. A number of biological mechanisms are at work to promote longevity for smaller people. These include:
1. Fewer cell replications allow a reserve of cells for use during old age.
2. Insulin and other growth factors are lower and low levels are related to greater longevity.
3. Smaller left ventricular mass of the heart is related to reduced heart failure and all-cause mortality.
4. Lower levels of C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and glucose reduce mortality.
5. Lower blood pressure.
6. Lower damage to DNA.
7. Lower free radical generation with reduced cell damage.
8. Higher sex hormone binding globulin (low levels have a variety of harmful effects.)
The above assumes similar economic status, lifestyle, and body proportions. Height is about 10% of the longevity picture. Therefore, tall people can offset their tall height by improved nutrition, lower weight and lifestyle habits. However, I found that we lose about 1.3 years per inch of increased height.
For more information on how our physiology, performance and impact on resources and the environment change with increasing body size, see www.humanbodysize.
The book, The Truth About Your Height, provides information on height as well.
In my previous comment, the website address was wrong. See: http://www.humanbodysize.com
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