Do a lot of children, the key to longevity?

The aging process varies greatly between people. This depends on the genetics, way of life and energy of each. If we focus on a part of the population, and more specifically the mothers of many families, if we rely on the general impressions and several studies, we could think that having many children would tire much more quickly and thus cause accelerated aging.

This study published in the journal Plos On by researchers at Simon Fraser University in Canada demonstrates the opposite. The primary reason for slowing down aging when you have many children is the fact that these women tend to experience resistance of their body cells to time, and thus age more slowly.

A study lasting 13 years

To prove the veracity of this info, the study took place over 13 years. Researchers at the Canadian University looked at life in a Guatemalan village where 94 women participated in the experiment. In 2000 and 2013, they volunteered to undergo some clinical examinations. In the meantime, they all had children naturally and in the same geographical area.

After the study, the conclusion was simple: all women with children had telomeres longer than normal. The telomere is a piece of DNA at the end of each chromosome that tends to curl over time. Telomeres are a sign of good health and longevity.

The protective effect of estrogen

Of course, the researchers behind the study do not believe in a coincidence. There would be a protective effect of estrogen that would act as an antioxidant on the cells. Thus, estrogen would invest in a role of protecting the cells of women who have had many children.

The second theory of researchers focuses more on a way of life: when we have many children, our environment helps us and helps us. In this case, we would feel less stress and anxiety on a daily basis.

Conclusion: make a lot of kids can!