"Numerous factors affect how fast we age, from the environment down to our DNA. Even the number of children you have, and when you have them, can alter the aging process and lifespan, a new study finds. Using historical data on biological women, researchers discovered that having five or more childrenor no children at allis associated with faster aging and shorter lifespans, compared with having one to four children."
"Hukkanen and her colleagues analyzed data from the Finnish Twin Cohort, a project that has tracked the health of thousands of twin pairs since 1974. They separated 14,836 women from this cohort into six groups based on the number and timing of their childbirths (allowing them to compare genetically similar parents). Then, using lifespan data and blood samples showing aging-linked DNA changes, the researchers modeled how reproduction impacted the aging process of women in each group."
Data from the Finnish Twin Cohort tracked thousands of twin pairs since 1974. Fourteen thousand eight hundred thirty-six biological women were separated into six groups by number and timing of childbirths. Lifespan data and blood samples showing aging-linked DNA changes were used to model how reproduction impacted aging. Having five or more children or no children at all associates with faster epigenetic aging and shorter lifespans compared with having one to four children. Members with the most children tended toward shorter lifespans and faster epigenetic aging. These patterns align with disposable soma theory, which posits trade-offs between reproduction and bodily maintenance.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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