The researchers explain that it’s all down to a region of repetitive DNA called telomeres.
When it comes to fighting disease and withstanding the biological ageing process, longer telomeres are far more beneficial.
“Growing a bigger body means that cells have to divide more. As a result, telomeres become eroded faster and cells and tissues function less well as a result.” He adds, “The reason why the bigger individuals have shorter telomeres might also be related to increased DNA damage due to growing faster. Being big can have advantages, of course, but this study shows that it can also have costs.”
As men are generally bigger than women, might this somehow explain the difference in our TrifecTA study?