Life

How women's immune systems age better than those of men

In general the number and strength of T cells and B cells – both involved in fighting off infections – declined faster in men than women
In general the number and strength of T cells and B cells – both involved in fighting off infections – declined faster in men than women In general the number and strength of T cells and B cells – both involved in fighting off infections – declined faster in men than women

How men and women age differently

This week: The immune system

THE decline in immune systems which occurs as we age happens faster in men than in women.

A 2013 study in the journal Immunity & Ageing examined blood samples from people in Japan aged 20 to 90. They found the number and strength of T cells and B cells – both involved in fighting off infections – declined faster in men than women.

The researchers said their findings were consistent with the fact that women live longer than men (life expectancy in the UK at birth is 79.4 years for men, compared to 83.1 years for women).

It’s thought multiple factors may explain the differences in the immune systems – but some experts say that even women’s gut bacteria are better at fighting off illness than men’s.

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