We all must have come across the phase: this is why women live longer than men. These are all over the social media, where men are performing more often than not, some experiments, without gears, just for fun, "in the name of science". The caption reads: this is why women live longer. However, is there really a science to it, other than the fact that women choose to do things more safely?

In the United States, women have a life expectancy of about 80, whereas men have 75. Women outlive men and this holds true regardless of the country women live, the money they make, and other factors. In fact, it is true for most other mammals too.

Dr Dena Dubal, a professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco told the New York Times, "It is a very robust phenomenon all over the world, totally conserved in sickness, during famines, during epidemics, even during the times of starvation."

But what are the reasons? These reasons are often more complicated and less established. It is important to note that only because women are outliving men does not mean they are living a better life. In fact, women tend to have shorter health spans, which means the number of healthy years in a person's life is less in women than men, confirmed Bérénice Benayoun, an associate professor at the U.S.C. Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.

As per a 2021 study titled, Sex differences in frailty: Comparisons between humans and preclinical models, found that women are more physically grail than men in old age. They are also more vulnerable, especially after menopause and are at more risk of developing cardiovascular issues and Alzheimer's disease because of age.

The key is in figuring out what makes one sex more resilient or vulnerable.

Genetics

For things which do not find easy explanations, scientists look for their answers in genes. Many research, including a 2020 study titled, The sex with the reduced sex chromosome dies earlier: a comparison across the tree of life, suggests that the XX set of female sex chromosomes may impact longevity. However, there has not been any clarity on how it affects longevity.

Another 2018 study titled, Female XX sex chromosomes increase survival and extend lifespan in aging mice, which was conducted by Dr Dubal's lab, looked at genetically manipulated mice with different combinations of sex chromosomes and reproductive organs. It was found that those with two X chromosomes and ovaries lived longest, followed by mice with two X chromosomes and testes. Mice with XY chromosomes had shorter life spans.

"There was something about the second X chromosome that was protecting the mice from dying earlier in life, even if they had testes. What if there was something on that second X chromosome that was in some ways a sprinkle of the fountain of youth," says Dr Dubal. While scientists have not yet looked at this factor in humans, Dr Dubal suggests that humans have the same hormones and sex chromosomes, and similar reproductive system that could corroborate the similar findings in people.

Hormones

Plenty research has shown that estrogen is responsible for longevity also effect on the immune system. The data also shows that before menopause, the female immune system tends to do better. In fact Dr Benayoun said that males tend to do much worse in response to infection.

Another 2017 study titled, Ages at Menarche and Menopause and Reproductive Lifespan As Predictors of Exceptional Longevity in Women: The Women's Health Initiative, found that women who experienced menopause later in life over the age 50 lived longer than those who experienced it earlier.

Lifestyle and Behavior

There are also disparity in behavioral patterns between men and women. This includes smoking, drinking heavily, which can contribute significantly to mortality. Women also have more "health promoting behavior", believe experts. Women are also more likely to socialize than men and thus it protects them from detrimental effects of social isolation and loneliness. In fact, a 2023 analysis published in Jama Network, titled, Widening Gender Gap in Life Expectancy in the US, 2010-2021, found that women are less likely to die by drug overdose or suicide.

India is seeing a steady and worrying rise in breast cancer cases, with numbers nearly doubling over the past ten years in many urban areas. What was once considered a gradual increase has now become much more visible across the country.

Over the last two decades, breast cancer cases have been slowly increasing. But in the last decade, the rise has been sharper. At the same time, there has been a major shift in the type of cancers affecting women. Earlier, cervical cancer was the most common. Today, breast cancer has taken that position across India.

Why Breast Cancer Cases Are Rising?

One of the biggest reasons behind this rise is that lifestyles have changed, especially among urban dwellers. Diets are now richer in fats, with physical activities taking a backseat, leading to obesity becoming normal. These factors, along with hormonal changes, delayed pregnancies, and genetic risks, all contribute to a higher chance of developing breast cancer.

At the same time, there is also a more encouraging side to this story. More women today are getting diagnosed earlier than before. A decade ago, many patients would come in with advanced stages of the disease. Now, a larger number are being detected in Stage 1 and Stage 2. This shift is important because early detection significantly improves survival.

Better awareness and easier access to screening have played a big role in this change. Campaigns during Breast Cancer Awareness Month have helped bring conversations around breast cancer into the mainstream. More women are now opting for regular check-ups and mammograms, which means cancers are being caught earlier.

However, the overall numbers still remain a concern. It is estimated that one in every 25 to 28 women in India will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. When this is applied to the country’s population, it translates into a very large number of women being affected.

The important thing to understand is that this rise is not due to one single reason. It is a mix of lifestyle changes, increased awareness, better detection, and possibly hormonal and environmental factors that are still being studied.

Importance Of Early Screening

The way forward is clear. Regular screening is one of the most effective tools available today. Women above the age of 40 should ideally undergo a mammogram every year, even if there are no symptoms. Early-stage breast cancer can be treated very effectively, with cure rates going up to nearly 99% when detected at the earliest stage.

While the numbers may seem alarming, there is also a sense of progress. More awareness, better screening, and earlier diagnosis mean that outcomes are improving. The focus now needs to be on making screening a routine habit and encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Breast cancer is on the rise in India, but with the right approach, it is also one of the cancers where early action can make the biggest difference.

Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. From regulating muscle and nerve function, to supporting a healthy immune system, to building protein, maintaining blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and aiding in energy production, magnesium plays an important role in our health.

Importantly, it helps in getting a good night’s sleep by promoting relaxation, calming the nervous system, and helping your body produce melatonin, the so-called sleep hormone. Magnesium supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements in America, the Washington Post reported.

“There’s a lot of interest in magnesium right now — all of my patients are asking me about it,” Bethany Marie Doerfler, a clinical research dietitian at the Northwestern Digestive Health Center, was quoted as saying.

“There’s a lot of insomnia in the United States, and many of my patients are saying, ‘Can I use magnesium, can it be helpful?’”

Studies have proven that high levels of magnesium in the diet can lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. It also increases bone mineral density, protecting against fractures and osteoporosis.

Yet despite its well-documented benefits, researchers have found that a majority of people consume less magnesium than the recommended amounts.

How Much Magnesium Do You Need?

According to the American health officials, women aged between 19 and 30 should consume 310 milligrams of magnesium daily (350 milligrams if they’re pregnant), and 320 milligrams if they are 31 or older.

For men, the recommendation is that they consume 400 milligrams if they’re 19 to 30 years old, and 420 milligrams if they’re 31 or older.

Doerfler noted that one can get plenty of magnesium simply by eating a few daily servings of the right plant foods.

According to the National Institutes of Health some top dietary sources of magnesium, include

• Pumpkin seeds
• Chia seeds
• Almonds
• Spinach,
• Cashews
• Peanuts
• Shredded wheat cereal
• Soymilk
• Black beans

Who Is At Risk Of Magnesium Deficiency?

Most people get enough magnesium from food, but certain groups are more vulnerable to deficiency. These include people with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease, those with type 2 diabetes, people who consume excessive alcohol, and older adults.

If you’re low on magnesium, you might notice symptoms such as muscle twitches, spasms, fatigue, low appetite, nausea, or an irregular heartbeat. However, the only way to confirm a deficiency is through a blood test prescribed by your doctor.

Can Magnesium Supplements Really Help?

While magnesium deficiency can lead to cramps, most cases of muscle cramps are not due to low magnesium. Research shows limited evidence that supplements prevent cramps, especially in older adults.

The link between magnesium and better sleep is also unclear. Some studies found it helped people fall asleep faster, while others found no significant difference.

When it comes to migraines, evidence is stronger. Studies suggest that taking 122–600 mg of magnesium daily for 4–24 weeks may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines in some people.

Are Magnesium Supplements Safe?

In general, magnesium supplements are safe when taken in the recommended amounts. However, too much can lead to nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, because magnesium draws water into the intestines.

Taking extremely large doses (around 5,000 mg daily) can cause magnesium toxicity, which is dangerous. Always check with your doctor before starting supplements, especially if you take other medications.

A 31-year-old Brazilian beauty queen, Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel, has reportedly died after suffering a sudden heart attack.

de Lima Fiel, a young mother, was due to compete in a beauty pageant next week. She reportedly had no major health issues. Paramedics spent more than an hour trying to save her life but she tragically did not recover, The Daily Mail reported.

Her untimely death has sparked grief and shock among her community and followers, and has also reignited concerns over unexpected cardiac events in seemingly healthy individuals.

Who Was Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel?

de Lima Fiel was crowned Miss Londrina last year in a prestigious regional beauty pageant and also came runner-up in the 2025/26 edition of Miss Sarandi, The Daily Mail reported.

"She was such a committed, dedicated young woman," the report quoted Vitor Tavares, organizer of the contest Maiara, as saying. She was due to compete on April 29.

"I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at the end of last year when she confirmed her participation as Miss Londrina. From that moment, it was clear how seriously she took this dream," he added.

While detailed medical circumstances have not been publicly disclosed, such sudden cardiac events in young adults are often linked to underlying, sometimes undiagnosed, heart conditions or acute cardiovascular episodes.

Also read: US Cardiologist Explains Why 2026 AHA Cholesterol Guidelines Recommend Starting Young

Heart Attacks Rising Among Younger Adults

Acute coronary syndromes, or heart attacks, are on the rise among young adults.

While there are some genetic predispositions for premature heart attacks, the majority of the risk is attributed to the increased incidence of conventional risk factors in young people, such as

• Obesity,
• Sedentary lifestyle,
• Diabetes,
• Hypertension,
• Dyslipidemia
• Smoking
• Substance abuse.

Who Is At Risk for Sudden Heart Attacks?

Also read: Ideal Blood Pressure Reading for Older Adults: Harvard Health Experts Have an Answer

Doctors are now seeing them in people as young as their late 30s and early 40s, especially those with high-stress jobs.

“They mistake early signs for lifestyle issues: acidity after a heavy dinner, shoulder pain from sitting at a laptop, or tiredness from long hours," Pankaj Vinod Jariwala, Interventional Cardiologist at Yashoda Hospitals, told HealthandMe.

Dr Krunal Tamakuwala, cardiologist at KD Hospital, Ahmedabad, pointed out that the real danger is not that these heart attacks are completely "symptomless," but that their symptoms are so common that they are easily ignored.

By the time a person finally sees a doctor, their heart may already be seriously damaged.

“Sometimes, it arrives silently, hidden behind complaints we consider minor. That is why doctors urge patients not to ignore symptoms that linger or feel unusual, even if they seem harmless at first,” Dr Tamakuwala told HealthandMe.

How To Reduce Heart Disease Risk In The 30s?

The experts shared that to boost heart health, the key is to

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet
• Avoid refined sugars, fats, and processed foods.
• Do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day, for five days a week.
• Stay away from smoking,
• Early screening and treatment
• Improving mental health.