Researchers discovered that early puberty or childbirth doubles women’s risk for major diseases and accelerates ageing, while later timing offers protective benefits.
Genetic analysis reveals evolutionary tradeoffs, where reproductive advantages early in life create health burdens later. Reproductive timing matters when it comes to ageing and age-related disease.
In a study, Buck researchers determine that girls who go through puberty (the onset of menstruation) before the age of 11 or women who give birth before the age of 21 have double the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart failure and obesity and quadruple the risk of developing severe metabolic disorders.
The study also reveals that later puberty and childbirth are genetically associated with longer lifespan, lower frailty, slower epigenetic ageing and reduced risk of age-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
The research was based on one of the most comprehensive analyses to date, using regression analysis on nearly 200,000 women in the UK Biobank to confirm genetic associations.
“We identified 126 genetic markers that mediate the effects of early puberty and childbirth on ageing,” said postdoctoral fellow Yifan Xiang, MD .
“Many of these markers are involved in well-known longevity pathways, such as IGF-1, growth hormone, AMPK and mTOR signalling, key regulators of metabolism and ageing,” added Yifan Xiang. (ANI)
Genetic evidence confirms early puberty accelerates ageing, disease: Study
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