There is an increase in estrogen levels during pregnancy that regulates bone growth, metabolism and development of tissues. It helps your skin and hair remain youthful and balances cholesterol levels. Estrogen also helps preserve telomere length and slows down the pace of cellular aging.

Producing a higher number of offspring slows down the pace of biological aging. Here are 4 factors that correlate aging and childbearing.

Increase In Estrogen Levels

• Estrogen is the hormone produced during pregnancy.
• It regulates our growth, metabolism and development of tissues.
• It helps our skin and hair remain youthful.
• It increases the collagen production in the skin and allows it to remain plump, hydrated and wrinkle free.
• It reduces the risk of heart diseases.
• It functions as a potent antioxidant that protects cells against telomere shortening    

Telomere Extension Turns Back The Aging Clock

• Optimal levels of estrogen help preserve telomere length, and slows down the pace of cellular aging.
• Telomeres are the protective caps on the ends of the strands of DNA called chromosomes.
• They shorten with each cell division which is an indicator of cellular aging.
• Cellular aging leads to cellular senescence (a state where the cell is still alive, but not healthy and capable of dividing).
• Shorter telomeres has been associated with a number of chronic diseases including hypertension, depression, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.

Dietary And Lifestyle Factor

• Estrogen balances cholesterol levels and bone growth during pregnancy.
• Consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, fibers, monosaturated fats and high quality vegetable proteins reduces oxidative stress and slows down telomere shortening.
• Sleeping for at least 8 hours per night, stress reduction and discontinuation of all tobacco products will help optimize our growth and release of hormones.

Social Factors

• The social environment that we live in may also influence the relationship between our reproductive efforts and the pace of aging.
• Greater support leads to an increase in the amount of metabolic energy that can be allocated to tissue maintenance, thereby slowing down the process of aging.