Anti Aging Tips for Women

There is a multitude of possible explanations. But the available evidence suggests that biological, behavioral, social, and psychological differences between men and women all play a part. The three biggies; seem to be related to behavior, cardiovascular disease risk, and chromosomes.

More men tend to die of factors caused by reckless behavior or violence, whatever their age. In men ages 55 to 64, for example, behavior related fatalities car accidents, falls, drownings, homicides, suicides are among the most common causes of death and are much higher in men than in women.

Cardiovascular disease hits men earlier than it does women. Smoking is a huge risk factor in heart disease, and men still smoke more than women. A man's risk of heart disease skyrockets beginning in his forties. A woman's risk doesn't rise until she enters menopause. Sex hormones may play a role here. It's known that the male sex hormone testosterone raises levels of artery clogging low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and decreases levels of beneficial high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, lowers LDL and increases HDL.

The fact that women have two X chromosomes, while men have only one, may also explain our longevity edge. Recent research suggests that the X chromosome may directly determine life span. One of a woman's two X chromosomes is inactivated early in life. But the second appears to kick in as she grows older, and so it compensates for lost or damaged genes on the first X. So from a genetic standpoint, women may just start out healthier.

Continuing research into the causes for the longevity gap will undoubtedly find clues to how both men and women can live longer, healthier lives.