Women live longer than men partly because their immune systems age more slowly, a new study has revealed.As their body defences weaken with the passing years, the increasing susceptibility of men to disease shortens their lives, it is claimed.
Life expectancy in the UK is 79 years for men and 82 for women, according to the World Health Organisation.In Japan, where the research took place, the gap is wider. There, the average lifespan of men is the same as in the UK, but women live to 85.5.The study involved examining blood samples from healthy volunteers with a wide range of ages.
Scientists tested the blood of 356 men and women aged between 20 and 90 and looked at levels of white blood cells and immune system signalling molecules called cytokines.In both sexes, the number of white blood cells per person decreased with age, but closer study revealed striking differences between men and women.
The rate of decline of most T-cell and B-cell lymphocytes, two key elements of the immune system, was faster in men. Similarly, men showed a more rapid age-related decline in the two cytokines, IL-6 and IL-10.
Well......I guess there had 2 b an explanation
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