Eunuchs lived longer than other men - NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & Sports

Eunuchs lived longer than other men

Updated:

MONDAY, Sept. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Castrated men -- sometimes called eunuchs -- in the old Korean dynasty lived much longer than other men, according to a new study.

The findings suggest that male sex hormones such as testosterone may be one reason men tend to have shorter life spans than women, the researchers said.

The study was published Sept. 25 in the journal Current Biology.

The researchers studied genealogy records of noble members of the Imperial court of the Korean Chosun dynasty, which lasted from 1392 to 1910. The eunuchs lost their testicles in accidents -- usually after being bitten by dogs -- or underwent intentional castration to gain early access to the palace, according to a journal news release.

Eunuchs lived 14 to 19 years longer than other men. Of the 81 eunuchs included in the study, three lived to be 100 or older.

The incidence of centenarians among the eunuchs was at least 130 times greater than in developed countries, according to Kyung-Jin Min of Inha University and Cheol-Koo Lee of Korea University.

They said the extended life spans of eunuchs can't be explained simply by the benefits of life in the palace, because they spent as much time outside the palace as inside it. And although the study showed an association between being castrated and a longer life span, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

More information

The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers health tips for men.

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

  • Medical News HeadlinesMedical News Headlines

  • Friday, May 17 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:15:06 GMT
    Cholesterol, cancer, even infectious diseases: our blood can help doctors detect them all. Now, blood is being used to figure out what's going on inside your head.
    Cholesterol, cancer, even infectious diseases: our blood can help doctors detect them all. Now, blood is being used to figure out what's going on inside your head.

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-16 21:15:01 GMT
    Millions of Americans suffer from GERD – a chronic digestive disease that happens when stomach acid flows back into your food pipe. A lot of people know the condition causes heartburn, but there's a lot more to it.
    Millions of Americans suffer from GERD – a chronic digestive disease that happens when stomach acid flows back into your food pipe. A lot of people know the condition causes heartburn, but there's a lot more to it.

  • Wednesday, May 15 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-15 21:15:01 GMT
    The average person remembers less than half of what doctors say during their office visits. Now there's a way to remember exactly what your doctor told you.
    Good communication between patients and physicians is critical to care, but the average person remembers less than half of what doctors say during their office visits. Now there's a way to remember exactly what your doctor told you.

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-14 21:15:08 GMT
    If a sharp pain hits your back or side, beware, it could be a warning sign of a kidney stone. Every year one million people in the U.S. are treated for them and there's a lot of misinformation about the masses.
    If a sharp pain hits your back or side, beware, it could be a warning sign of a kidney stone. Every year one million people in the U.S. are treated for them and there's a lot of misinformation about the masses.

  • Monday, May 13 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-13 21:15:02 GMT
    They're popping up all over the place. Providing kids and adults wall-to-wall entertainment, but is the trampoline arena trend resulting in simple fun or serious fractures?
    They're popping up all over the place. Providing kids and adults wall-to-wall entertainment, but is the trampoline arena trend resulting in simple fun or serious fractures?

  • Friday, May 10 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-10 21:15:03 GMT
    At least 30 million Americans are having trouble hearing. Now, a new type of hearing aid is making it easier for people to get help without everyone knowing it.
    At least 30 million Americans are having trouble hearing. Now, a new type of hearing aid is making it easier for people to get help without everyone knowing it.

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-09 21:15:08 GMT
    When a nerve is injured, pain, numbness, and loss of sensation are common. Fixing damaged nerves used to mean patients had to sacrifice another nerve from their body, but now there's an easier way.
    When a nerve is injured, pain, numbness, and loss of sensation are common. Fixing damaged nerves used to mean patients had to sacrifice another nerve from their body, but now there's an easier way.

  • Tuesday, May 7 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-07 21:15:08 GMT
    Aggressive breast cancer can be hard to beat. Even if women do overcome it, there's a good chance it could come back. Now, doctors believe depleting the body of a well-known metal could be the key to keeping it away.
    Aggressive breast cancer can be hard to beat. Even if women do overcome it, there's a good chance it could come back. Now, doctors believe depleting the body of a well-known metal could be the key to keeping it away.

  • Monday, May 6 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-06 21:15:02 GMT
    Low dose CT scans have revolutionized early diagnosis and early treatment, but sometimes it's hard to tell if the abnormalities they detect are really cancer.
    Low dose CT scans have revolutionized early diagnosis and early treatment, but sometimes it's hard to tell if the abnormalities they detect are really cancer.

  • Friday, May 3 2013 5:15 PM EDT2013-05-03 21:15:05 GMT
    The first MRI body scan was performed on a human in 1977. Thanks to medical advances, the technology has greatly improved. Now, a new type of MRI could be medicine's next big thing.
    The first MRI body scan was performed on a human in 1977. It took almost five hours to produce one image. Thanks to medical advances, the technology has greatly improved. Now, a new type of MRI could be medicine's next big thing.
*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.
Powered by WorldNow
Contact Us | Advertise | Mobile | RSS Feeds | Facebook | Twitter | Email Alerts | Jobs |
Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Public File

© 2013 NewsChannel5.com | NewsChannel 5 WTVF-TV Nashville TN | Site hosted by WorldNow. All Rights Reserved.