Results 1 to 5 of 5
-
20th May 2011 #1
- Join Date
- Sep 2009
- Posts
- 4,623
- Rep Power
- 150
Life expectancy - do you really want to know ?
Life expectancy at birth has increased every year for many reasons. It's now around 80 in the UK ( 78 for males, 82 for females ) and 71 in the Philippines ( 69 for males, 74 for females ).
There's controversy about how much it will continue to increase, just as there is still uncertainty about the causes of ageing. Of course there are well known lifestyle risk factors like smoking and obesity, and also our cells are genetically regulated.
Recently there's been much publicity about a "life expectancy test" developed at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre in Madrid. They expect this soon to be available to the public. From a simple blood sample it measures the length of telomeres. These are protective structures on the ends of chromosomes, which shorten every time most cells divide. Cancer cells and stem cells keep on dividing because their telomeres don't shorten.
The test can't predict the exact number of years someone will live, but they are likely to die younger if their telomeres are short. We don't know if longer telomeres allow a longer lifespan.
Telomeres are important - both in the ageing process and cancer - but they're not the only influences. Modifying telomeres may help in cancer treatment .
It's possible finding out you have short telomeres could encourage a healthier lifestyle, but I can't see people rushing to pay for a test which is expected to cost 435 GBP, or the NHS paying for it ! Also, only a psychic would claim to know if / when your lifespan might end unnaturally ; let's hope today (May 21) is NOT the end of the world !
-
21st May 2011 #2
- Join Date
- Jul 2005
- Location
- Pangasinan
- Posts
- 25,596
- Rep Power
- 150
At 50 some people are two thirds of the way through their natural lives, others only halfway
...if only they knew.
-
21st May 2011 #3
-
21st May 2011 #4
- Join Date
- Jul 2005
- Location
- Pangasinan
- Posts
- 25,596
- Rep Power
- 150
Unless you're going to make it to 110.
-
21st May 2011 #5
I have been to Skardu and Hunza valley,both are thought to be the models for James Hiltons "Lost Horizon" shangri-la due to the supposed longevity of their inhabitants,we all know our birthday none of us have advance knowledge of our death day,do your best and live it as you want to for your alloted span
Sometimes you're flush and sometimes you're bust, and when you're up, it's never as good as it seems, and when you're down, you never think you'll be up again. But life goes on.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It's the passion that she shows to the outside world.
Thread Information
Users Browsing this Thread
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Similar Threads
-
Save your life with “The Triangle of Life”
By Mystica in forum Living in the UKReplies: 4Last Post: 26th October 2013, 12:37 -
life of pi
By stevewool in forum Loose Talk, Chat and Off TopicReplies: 2Last Post: 18th February 2013, 11:43 -
My new life :)
By kalabasa in forum Introduce YourselfReplies: 26Last Post: 4th August 2010, 12:32 -
Something in Life You Never Want to See
By KeithD in forum Loose Talk, Chat and Off TopicReplies: 2Last Post: 22nd July 2010, 14:39 -
New life
By aromulus in forum Loose Talk, Chat and Off TopicReplies: 8Last Post: 23rd September 2007, 12:29