Study suggests children born to an older mother could live less

We’ve all heard that the older a woman is, the less chances of getting pregnant she has. A new study suggests that older women who give birth are more likely to pass on to their children a cellular component called mitochondria - responsible for generating energy that individual cells need to function.

Shorter lifespan 

As a woman ages, the mitochondria that exists in her cells ages with her; these “older” cells are inherited by the fetus. Babies born to an older mother have a larger probability of getting sick more often. Thus, his or her lifespan could be shorter.

According to an article posted on the Fertility and Sterility's webpage, " …reproduction in later life is subject to various difficulties, such as the lower probability of conception in relation to maternal age, the increase in spontaneous pregnancy loss, and higher obstetric risk. In this review of recent data, we suggest that a fourth effect, the decrease in lifespan of children in relation to the age of conception of the mother, can be added to the list.” 

Beat the odds 

However, this doesn’t mean that as a woman you can’t give birth to a perfectly healthy baby or that your new born would have to live inside a bubble for the rest of its life. Regular checkups, exercising and good eating habits are all part of a healthy lifestyle that could prolong a person’s life.

Incorporate more greens into your meals and drink water more often. If you’re pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant, speak to your specialist about mitochondria. A happy pregnant mother could influence her fetus in a positive way. Also, ask your doctor if there are any medications you could take before a pregnancy to prevent any risks.