The propagation of species is a fundamental characteristic that distinguishes the living from the non-living. Nature’s primary focus is reproduction. It utilizes individuals to fulfill this role and eventually phases them out when they are no longer reproductively viable. Nature provides protection and sustenance as long as an individual contributes to reproduction, but withdraws support once their reproductive capacity diminishes. To maintain efficient reproduction, nature favors the replacement of older generations with newer ones. This is achieved through a simple mechanism: each individual is allocated a finite amount of reproductive resources—ova in females and spermatozoa in males. Once these resources are depleted or reduced beyond a critical level, the individual’s role in reproduction diminishes, leading to withdrawal of protection and eventual replacement.
Some people may disagree with my quota theory of longevity. However this quota theory has some logic. For the female gender, there is a fixed quota of ova at the time of birth. It’s a well documented fact. For males, such a phenomenon is not known because this aspect has never been studied. For the time being, let’s assume that such a quota exists for males also. If this were the case, males who are highly sexually active might deplete their quota of spermatozoa more rapidly and, consequently, lose nature’s protective benefits sooner. Conversely, a male who is less sexually active or celibate might deplete his quota more slowly, thereby retaining nature’s protection for a longer period.
In females, ova are liberated every month and most women attain menopause at around 45-50 years of age. Menopause means that a woman has finished her quota of reproductive material and protection of nature is being withdrawn. We know that postmenopausal women face lots of health issues after menopause. When a female gets pregnant, shedding of egg stops for an average of 12-15 months due to pregnancy and later lactation. So with each pregnancy, the mother is rewarded with extended protection of 12-15 months or more. Higher the pregnancies, higher the longevity, provided other factors are favourable (nutrition, general health etc). Theoretically, as per the quota theory, childless women and women with early menarche should have an early menopause and that’s what one study by Gita D Misha published in Human reproduction (volume 33, No 3, page 679-686 year 2017) found. Longevity is multifactorial, so if we compare longevity in two individuals similar in all characteristics, a male practicing celibacy will live longer than one who does not and a woman with higher number of pregnancies will live healthier and longer. Also, the role of a woman does not finish after giving birth. She has to look after the child for a longer time than male. This gives her extended protection till late years of life, no doubt, women generally outlive men.
Longevity is influenced by multiple factors, but in comparing two individuals with similar characteristics, a celibate male might outlive one who is not, and a woman with more pregnancies might experience better health and longer life. Additionally, women generally live longer than men, partly because their role in child-rearing extends well beyond birth, offering them extended protection and contributing to their greater average lifespan.
Old people, who have already finished their quota, can get partial protection from nature by looking after their grandchildren or other children and convince nature that they are still useful for its purpose. Looking after and playing with grandchildren may help you to live longer and healthier. Those who don’t have grandchildren with them can go to orphanages or similar organizations. If this is not possible, giving a personalized care to a pet may be a good proxy.
The quota theory explains a large number of our traditions and scientific observations. Quota exists for almost all body functions. Quota of breath may be there. Animals with slow breathing rate live longer. A tortoise lives for around 400 years and takes 3-4 breaths per minute. Animals with higher respiratory rates have a shorter life span. Our ancestors advocated Pranayama to slow ones breath. I feel it is an ancient longevity hack. Diabetes and other NCDs are fallout of quota theory. Each time, when we eat refined carbohydrates, the blood sugar spikes sharply. Pancreas has to secrete a large amount of insulin every time to tackle this sugar load. In this bargain, the quota of insulin spikes reaches a critical level. Diabetes and other NCDs can be prevented, if we can prevent sugar and insulin spikes. As per quota theory, eating a unprocessed or minimally processed diet low in carbohydrates will help to delay onset of NCDs. There is ample evidence that consumption of whole grain cereals, pulses and non starchy vegetables are protective against diabetes.
Fasting, as a longevity hack, was known to our ancestors. They advocated fasting over feasting. Majority of our festivals are in fact fasting festivals. The essence of fasting has been distorted over period of time. Now people gorge on sweets and carbohydrates on a fast day. An erroneous belief has crept among people to avoid cereals and salt during fasting. From science point of view, sweets and carbs must be avoided. Only water should be taken during a 24 hour to give rest to liver and pancreas for at least 24 hours. Salt is permitted. Taking sweets things during the fast may highjack the beneficial effects of fasting.
To summarize, quota theory of longevity gives us following longevity hacks:
(a) Male must control their sexual desires.
(b) Women must bear children
(c) Eat Low carbohydrate diet consisting of complex carbs
(d) No refined carbs
(e) Practice pranayama (breathing exercise)
(f) Observe water fast at least once a week
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