Scientists explained the ability to live to old age
MOSCOW, 11 Dec — RIA Novosti. A group of scientists from the University of Edinburgh in the UK found out why people can live longer than 50 years. Press release of the study available on the website Phys.org.
Many species do not live long after reproductive age. However, a person has the ability to live to be very old, which indicates the existence of mechanisms that underlie longevity.
In the study, researchers analyzed data from about 1.7 million residents of Utah who were born before 1950 and their descendants.
As it turned out, men contribute genes that support youth. The researchers are unable to establish the genes responsible for longevity in women.
Previously, scientists from the Brazilian University of Rio Grande do Sul found that sexual activity affects the aging process. According to a study published in the journal Biogerontology, aging can be the result of a compromise between reproduction and longevity, due to the fact that the body has to spend energy on metabolic processes. The more resources are used for reproduction, the less energy remains for the restoration of tissues and organs.