Don't you know that abstinence increases your lifespan?

Question

it is true in fruitflies. flies that don't mate live several times longer. could this be true in complex animals such as mammals?

Answer 1

To live longer, starve yourself a bit. That's the paradoxical implication of studies from fruit flies, rodents and mammals. The only proven way to extend the life span of a mammal is to cut calories about 30 percent.

It works, but few people can sustain such a Spartan diet.

Caloric restriction may work by reducing concentrations of free radicals -- highly reactive molecules that degrade essential biological compounds.

Now comes a hint about the mechanism from "fly guys" -- the subculture in biology that studies fruit flies. Fruit flies are the Vise-Grips of genetics and developmental biology -- a cheap, versatile, and practical research tool.

And the flies, it turns out, have a gene dubbed "Indy" (named, not for the race, but for "I'm not dead yet"). If you throttle back the Indy gene, the flies live twice as long.

Now we could metamorphose the fiction of Franz Kafka and point out that the only thing worse than being a fly is being a fly and living twice as long. But that's narrow-minded.

And besides, humans have a gene similar to Indy, and the new discovery might eventually help extend the human life span.

So put down that flyswatter and read what all the buzz is about.

Source:

http://whyfiles.org/shorties/070old_fly/

Answer 2

I don't think so since, as humans, we don't get enough exercise in our daily busy lives, and if nothing else...it's exercise. It gets your heart rate going and burns calories (if you do it right). That's gotta be good for you right? Also, it can release stress which is a big killer in our nation as well. Although, abstinence protects you from diseases that could certainly shorten you life span, you can get many of those same diseases non-sexually as well. Unless it's a spiritual vow, or you just can't get none...why deprive yourself and then drop dead of something else, only to realize you were wrong about that theory? Get it on!

Answer 3

Thats funny... I just read a story not too long ago that said people who have an orgasm at least once a week will live up to 10 years longer than those that have less than one a month. Eh... maybe theyre just diddlin' themselves.

Answer 4

Not true.
Sex is good exercise. It increases several healthy heart lung parameters. It also produces relaxation and a feeling of well being.

;-D All around good activity

Answer 5

Not going in cars decreases the likelihood of dying in an auto accident. Does that make you resolve never to go in a car again?

Answer 6

Might be true.
Monks do live to a ripe old age. Not sure if its down to a stressless life or abstinence.

Answer 7

Possibly. I dont know about the sex part but being in a relationship had put a lot of years on me.

Answer 8

That's great to know. A long sexless life. Where can I sign up.

Answer 9

No. It is not true. The exception being if you make your mate very angry.

Answer 10

Its the opposite.