Longevity and good health are almost everyone’s wish, but those who have observed carefully will notice that generally, men’s lifespan is shorter than women’s. Moreover, the gap between average lifespan for men and women is gradually widening, with women’s lifespan increasing at a faster rate than men’s. Additionally, the probability of men developing major illnesses after aging is much higher compared to women. These significant illnesses also pose a major threat to men’s lifespan. So, what are the reasons for men having shorter lifespans? And what methods can be adopted to prolong one’s lifespan and safeguard one’s health?
Reasons why men generally have a shorter lifespan than women:
1. Physiological reasons
It is actually related to the physiological differences between men and women. Men tend to develop heart-related diseases and strokes about 10 years earlier than women. After menopause, women’s vulnerability to such conditions tends to decrease, suggesting a connection between longevity and hormone secretion or endocrine functions. Unlike men, women have menstrual cycles during which detoxification occurs, promoting the metabolism of the hematopoietic system and enhancing overall health. This is something that men lack.
2. Stress-related reasons
Although the pursuit of freedom and equality is prevalent nowadays, there are numerous professional and elite women who are not inferior to men. However, due to certain physical aspects, some jobs are not suitable for women, especially those requiring physical strength. This results in many men engaging in strenuous work with high levels of stress. Men often face more stress than women and, in addition, some men tend to keep things to themselves, further exacerbating the stress levels, which can eventually take a toll on their health.
3. Maintenance-related reasons
This is a crucial point, as compared to women, men generally lack the knowledge of self-care. The natural inclination of most women towards beauty motivates them to engage in physical activities, consume nutritional supplements, maintain a proper sleep schedule, etc. On the other hand, men are not as attentive to these aspects; they may have habits like staying up late, smoking, and consuming alcohol, which are detrimental to their health. Some men may not even cook for themselves and prefer eating out frequently for convenience. Long-term consumption of high-fat, high-salt foods inadvertently increases the risk of hypertension and thrombosis.
Men with short lifespans tend to have these three bad habits:
1. Neglecting lung health
The lungs are essential respiratory organs for the body to breathe and sustain life. Currently, many men have a habit of smoking, some even starting in their adolescence, which poses significant harm to lungs that have not fully developed. 80% of lung cancer cases are linked to smoking. Smoking also leads to various oral health issues such as yellowing teeth, increasing the spectrum of illnesses men may face.
2. Not caring for the liver
The liver is a crucial detoxifying organ in the body, especially as compared to women who have menstrual cycles. For men, the liver is practically the only avenue for detoxification. However, some men burden their livers through alcohol consumption, heavy eating, etc. Alcohol consumption, whether it be strong distilled spirits or light wines, burdens the liver as ethanol present in alcohol necessitates liver processing for elimination. A summer of heavy drinking will require the liver an entire year for repair. For liver health, it’s best for men to stay away from excessive drinking; a little moderation is better than excessive indulgence.
3. Neglecting kidney cleanliness
The kidneys are important organs responsible for excretion in the body; for men, they also play a role in sperm storage and reproduction. The current trend leans towards consuming beverages or high-salt, high-sugar foods, which create a burden on the kidneys. Combine this with unhealthy habits like staying up late, and it poses a greater risk to the kidneys. Some men even engage in practices like holding urine, such as long-distance drivers, which is extremely detrimental to kidney health.
