“ In nonagenarians, a lower activity of the insulin/IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) signaling (IIS) pathway is significantly associated with lower body height and improved old age survival.”
“Smaller individuals of the same species, including humans, also tend to live longer.”
“It seems that being bigger, and presumably better, comes with very high costs.” [The costs he is referring to are higher levels of cancer and heart disease.]
“…the smaller the mean height at age 18 in a province, the higher the chance for people living there to reach high chronological ages.” My note: based on about 1.3 million deaths.
Observations by various scientists on human height or body size are given below. Only a few are presented out of a list of 119 similar comments.
“...the smaller the mean height at age 18 in a province, the higher the chance for people living there to reach high chronological ages.” My note: based on about 1.3 million deaths.
Source: Holzenberger et al. Decelerated growth and longevity in men. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 1991, 13, 89-101
“It seems that being bigger, and presumably better, comes with very high costs.” [The costs he is referring to are higher levels of cancer and heart disease.]
Source: p. 102 Campbell & Campbell. The China Study. 2006, Benbella, Texas.
“Smaller individuals of the same species, including humans, also tend to live longer.” p.572
Source: de Magalhaes JP and Faragher RGA. Cell divisions and mammalian aging: integrative biology insights from genes that regulate longevity. BioEssays 2008, 30, 567-578.
Journal of Chinese Clinical Medicine Volume 5 | Number 2 | February 2010 Role of Height in Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Thomas T. Samaras [Abstract] Findings are presented showing how height relates to cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The preponderance of evidence shows that height is positively correlated with cancer. However, studies on height and CVD are not consistent, and the causes for this conflict are explored. The role of nutrition in promoting rapid growth, greater height and chronic diseases [...]
Abstract Findings supporting the counter intuitive thesis that smaller body size promotes greater health and longevity are reviewed. In addition, the risks of promoting further growth through genetic manipulation are explored in relation to chronic disease and longevity. Supporting examples from animal research are also covered. The biological mechanisms that relate to height and longevity conclude the review. Key words: longevity, nutrition, growth, body height, chronic disease To download the full article click here
Publications on Human Body Size: Samaras, T and Lillis, JP. 2024. Longevity of specific populations. Future chapter in International Encyclopedia, Academic Press (2nd edition), UK. Samaras TT. (2020) Height and longevity—a changing viewpoint. WJPPS, 9 (9): 570-574 www.wipps.com/controller abstract id/12979 Samaras, T. T., Marson, S. M., & Lillis, J. P. (2019). International Data Demonstrating the Inverse Height and Life Expectancy Between the Sexes: Height and life expectancy. SOCIALSCI JOURNAL, 4, 1-9. researchgate.net/publication/335526858_International_Data_Demonstrating_the_Inverse_Height_and_Life_Expectancy_Between_the_Sexes Samaras T, Marson S, Lillis J. (2018). The [...]
The book has been reviewed by a number of journals. Reviewer comments are given below: SM Marson, University of North Carolina, Department of Social Work, in Public Health Nutrition (Cambridge University Press), 2009, 12, 1299-1300. “Human Body Size and the Laws of Scaling is an outstanding and revelatory book.” “It is quite extraordinary to discover a book with such a wide range of potential professional readerships.” “The writing style and content is written for those with specialties in both the [...]
Reventropy
This section contains information about “Reventropy Associates” and Tom Samaras – business facts, bios, mission, history and the research carried out.
Related studies by other researchers
- Martinez JA, et al. Mortality of NBA players. Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 500; View here
- Ma W, et al. Adult height, dietary patterns and healthy aging. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2017, 106, 2, 589-596. View here
- Lemez S, et al. Do “big guys” really die younger? PLoS ONE 2017, 12(10): e0185617/ View here
- Chmielewski P. The relationship between adult stature and longevity. Anthropological Review 2016, 79(4). 439-460. View here
- Sohn K. Now, the taller die earlier: The curse of cancer. J. Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Scie 2016, 71(6): 713-719. View here
- Ringsby TH, et al. On being the right size: Increased body size is associated with reduced telomere length under natural conditions . Proceedings of The Royal Society B 2015, View here
- Shapiro, Streja, et al. Association of height with mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol . 2015, View here
- He Q, et al. Shorter men live longer. 2014, PLoS ONE 9(5): e94385. View here
- Bartke A. Healthy aging: is smaller better? Gerontology 2012, 58(4): 337-343. View here
- Mueller U. and Mazur A. Tallness comes with higher mortality in two cohorts of US army officers. Paper submitted at XXVI IUSSP International Population Conference, 2009. View here
- Martinez JA, et al. Mortality of NBA players. Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 500; View here
- Ma W, et al. Adult height, dietary patterns and healthy aging. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2017, 106, 2, 589-596. View here
- Lemez S, et al. Do “big guys” really die younger? PLoS ONE 2017, 12(10): e0185617/ View here
- Chmielewski P. The relationship between adult stature and longevity. Anthropological Review 2016, 79(4). 439-460. View here
- Sohn K. Now, the taller die earlier: The curse of cancer. J. Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Scie 2016, 71(6): 713-719. View here
- Ringsby TH, et al. On being the right size: Increased body size is associated with reduced telomere length under natural conditions . Proceedings of The Royal Society B 2015, View here
- Shapiro, Streja, et al. Association of height with mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol . 2015, View here
- He Q, et al. Shorter men live longer. 2014, PLoS ONE 9(5): e94385. View here
- Bartke A. Healthy aging: is smaller better? Gerontology 2012, 58(4): 337-343. View here
- Mueller U. and Mazur A. Tallness comes with higher mortality in two cohorts of US army officers. Paper submitted at XXVI IUSSP International Population Conference, 2009. View here
Latest News
A recent paper reported on the hidden benefits of shorter, smaller bodies. The report indicates that shorter, smaller people have faster reaction times, greater endurance, greater strength to weight ratio, and are more agile. They also have less cancer risk and lower intakes of toxins due to lower consumption of liquids and solid foods. See Samaras T. Hidden benefits of shorter, smaller bodies, JSRR 19(2), 2018, article no JSRR.40878. DOI: 10.9734/JSRR/2018/40878
See publication list.
Newsflash
Research by Sharrow and Anderson (PLoSOne, 2016) found that twins survived longer than singletons. While not mentioned by the authors, the facts are that twins weigh about 2 pounds less than singletons at birth and tend to grow up being slightly lighter and shorter based on other studies. Identical twins, who tend to be the smallest, had a better survival rate vs. larger fraternal twins as well.
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