Why Men Die Earlier?
Today, the world's oldest person died - Maria de Jesus. She was 115 years old. This makes Gertrude Baines the current world's oldest person, at 114 years old.
Another lady?
Hmmm... I was suddenly interested to know how many men used to be holding the title of world's oldest person. So here's the statistics:
Emiliano Mercado del Toro held this title from 11 Dec 2006 to 24 Jan 2007 (44 days). Thereafter, it was FIVE ladies, including the two ladies mentioned above. And before him, was 16 ladies... SIXTEEN! What happened to all the men???
The next man that held this title, from 16 Nov 1976 to 21 Feb 1986 (3,384 days), was Shigechiyo Izumi.
And before Shigechiyo Izumi, was 8 ladies... EIGHT!
And then a man, followed by FIVE ladies, and then 2 men and 2 ladies.
So you see, in documented history of world's oldest living people, 5 men had ever held this title, as compared to 36 ladies, that's THIRTY SIX, my friends!!! Do the math, and you'll get 12% men vs 88% women. THAT would mean that ladies, or women, will survive their husbands, or male counterparts 88% of the time. 88% widows, 12% widowers. Even in most developed and developing countries' life expectancy chart, women has a longer lifespan by at least 4 to 5 years.
So why is this the case? Why women live longer? Any documented research or investigation into this? Someone has to had done something? No?
Is it because women get menopause, and men don't? Or is it because women have more estrogen, while men testosterone? I doubt that the sexual organ differences has anything to do with this!
Is it because men get to do all the dangerous jobs? Or men are dumber (and hence, do silly things to get killed)? Smoked more cigarettes? Drank more alcohol? Stressed more?
WHY?
Searching through the Net, I think I finally found the most reasonable explanation to this mystery...
Women menstruate, while men OBVIOUSLY don't.
A look at the Top Causes of Death in mankind will tell you that cardiovascular diseases is the number one killer, representing about 30% of all deaths. Men are 5 times more likely to die from heart diseases as compared to women.
It seems that when women menstruate, they release a hormone called estradiol. This hormone basically gives the heart a workout. During the second half of a menstrual cycle (and during pregnancy), the female cardiac output increases around 20%. This increase is equivalent to what happens when someone exercises. So basically the female heart gets a sustained workout for a few days every month. The result? Less cardiac problems than men (at least that is what these researchers are suggesting).
So that monthly thing that seems so troublesome to many women is actually a lifesaver! Interesting huh? A blessing in disguise!
But of course, there are other ways to live longer than to just rely on menstruation. For men, PLEASE EXERCISE! Out of so many men, how many actually actively do some form of physical exercise regularly? Very few. How many take care of what they eat? Minority. Why am I not surprised that more men die of heart problems than women? At least, if women don't exercise or watch what they eat, they have menstruation every month to keep their hearts "healthier". But of course, women who menstruate AND do regular exercise AND watch their diets will be even healthier.
Thanks for reading this and have a blessed weekend Friends!
Today, the world's oldest person died - Maria de Jesus. She was 115 years old. This makes Gertrude Baines the current world's oldest person, at 114 years old.
Another lady?
Hmmm... I was suddenly interested to know how many men used to be holding the title of world's oldest person. So here's the statistics:
Emiliano Mercado del Toro held this title from 11 Dec 2006 to 24 Jan 2007 (44 days). Thereafter, it was FIVE ladies, including the two ladies mentioned above. And before him, was 16 ladies... SIXTEEN! What happened to all the men???
The next man that held this title, from 16 Nov 1976 to 21 Feb 1986 (3,384 days), was Shigechiyo Izumi.
And before Shigechiyo Izumi, was 8 ladies... EIGHT!
And then a man, followed by FIVE ladies, and then 2 men and 2 ladies.
So you see, in documented history of world's oldest living people, 5 men had ever held this title, as compared to 36 ladies, that's THIRTY SIX, my friends!!! Do the math, and you'll get 12% men vs 88% women. THAT would mean that ladies, or women, will survive their husbands, or male counterparts 88% of the time. 88% widows, 12% widowers. Even in most developed and developing countries' life expectancy chart, women has a longer lifespan by at least 4 to 5 years.
So why is this the case? Why women live longer? Any documented research or investigation into this? Someone has to had done something? No?
Is it because women get menopause, and men don't? Or is it because women have more estrogen, while men testosterone? I doubt that the sexual organ differences has anything to do with this!
Is it because men get to do all the dangerous jobs? Or men are dumber (and hence, do silly things to get killed)? Smoked more cigarettes? Drank more alcohol? Stressed more?
WHY?
Searching through the Net, I think I finally found the most reasonable explanation to this mystery...
Women menstruate, while men OBVIOUSLY don't.
A look at the Top Causes of Death in mankind will tell you that cardiovascular diseases is the number one killer, representing about 30% of all deaths. Men are 5 times more likely to die from heart diseases as compared to women.
It seems that when women menstruate, they release a hormone called estradiol. This hormone basically gives the heart a workout. During the second half of a menstrual cycle (and during pregnancy), the female cardiac output increases around 20%. This increase is equivalent to what happens when someone exercises. So basically the female heart gets a sustained workout for a few days every month. The result? Less cardiac problems than men (at least that is what these researchers are suggesting).
So that monthly thing that seems so troublesome to many women is actually a lifesaver! Interesting huh? A blessing in disguise!
But of course, there are other ways to live longer than to just rely on menstruation. For men, PLEASE EXERCISE! Out of so many men, how many actually actively do some form of physical exercise regularly? Very few. How many take care of what they eat? Minority. Why am I not surprised that more men die of heart problems than women? At least, if women don't exercise or watch what they eat, they have menstruation every month to keep their hearts "healthier". But of course, women who menstruate AND do regular exercise AND watch their diets will be even healthier.
Thanks for reading this and have a blessed weekend Friends!
5 Comments:
I'd rather die early than have to menstruate every month and deal with all that women hormones stuff...they get cranky and all torn apart like a chicken with no head. Put me to sleep when its my time...forget mentrual!
Intresting post, John!
Personally I don't want to live to be the oldest person in the world at any given time. Being a woman gives me an advantage for that apparently though. I think if you were to ask a group of women if they wished they could forego menstration, the majority of them would say they'd rather not have to deal with it every month even if it does give them an edge on longevity.
It is an intresting bit of information I didn't know. There you go educating me some more, John! :)
Hmnn-- In my own point of view-- men got heart failure disease because they hide what's inside thir heart, ya know--stress is the number one killer. And, women--even though that they break their heart more often, they heal their soul easily. They express their feelings unlike men--yeah, they express their feelings but through a bottle of vodka or beer--. While women also got drunk when broken---they express everything even if they're sober.
And, women tend to handle double even quadruple problems at the same time.
Anyway, this was such a good post!
Ron, not all women get cranky, moody, and all that during menstruation. But it's not a pleasant event, no doubt. There will be pain, discomfort, etc. I would have to agree with you on dying earlier than to have menstruation.
Donna, I believe so too, that most women would prefer not to go through that every month for the sake of living longer.
Mys Lyke Meeh, I must agree with you. It is the nature of men not to share their feelings freely. And yes, stress is indeed a factor in heart diseases.
John,
My husband was in the room when I was reading this post, so I am going to give you his view on it.
He does have a very caustic sense of humor so I hope your readers take it the way it is intended.
He says and I quote, " We live longer so we can torture men more":)
Considering the fact that he has been on my "short list" recently I can see where he is coming from....not:)
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