Here are some biological factors that may contribute to the relationship between height and lifespan:
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Taller people need more cell replications to fill their bodies, which can lead to faster exhaustion. As people age, their bodies may have more difficulty repairing tissues, and taller people may no longer have replacement cells available to repair damage.
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Taller people have more cells, which means more exposure to free radicals and toxins that can damage DNA.
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Taller people may need more calories to function properly because they have larger internal organs and longer, heavier bones.
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In taller people, mTOR is usually more active during development, which may lead to faster aging in adulthood.
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Some variants of the FOXO3 gene are associated with longevity in humans, and these variants are more common in shorter people.
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Longer blood vessels in taller people may increase the risk of clots.
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