Does donating blood prolong your life?

burritos · 06-02-2006, 09:28 PM

Women on average live 5-6 years longer than men. They have strokes and heart attacks later in life. Medical studies have shown the hormone replacement therapy(estrogen) does NOT help strokes and heart attacks. So the main difference I can think of is the fact that they on average lose blood for the better part of 30 years regularly while males don't. Why this prevents heart attacks and strokes, who knows. Maybe the regular eliminating of toxins and lipids and replacing with freshly made-from-the-bone-marrow helps. Does this make sense? If so, give blood guys.

geologyrox · 06-02-2006, 10:01 PM

As I understand it, women lose 2tbsp a month for 30 years - I doubt it's the bloodletting thats doing it. Possible, perhaps, but I wouldn't try to prove causuality from just that.

Though, I guess any excuse is good to donate blood - it certainly prolongs someones life, and makes you feel pretty good about yourself. I'm coming up on two gallons in a few months! =)

tochatihu · 06-02-2006, 10:03 PM

If there was ever a topic for Fred, this is it! I understand there is weak evidence for health benefits for the bleeding of males in particular. You gonna make me find the literature?

I did whole blood donations about 80 times before the platelet people got their hooks in me. Since then I have been doing apherisis about every 3 weeks, About twice a year I try to "drop in" a whole blood donation, just to get rid of the stuff. Supposing, as perhaps you do, that there may be benefits to dumping that stuff from time to time.

There is a big need for all blood products, but I would rather not be the rah-rah here. For those who can't or won't; consider taking (under doctors advice) aspirin regularly. I can assure you that it will strongly interfere with the ability of your platelets to make blood clots. This being approximately the same thing as stroke, and several initiators of myocardial infarction.

I am perfectly willing to discuss privately with anyone the dire need for blood products, and what it is like to get "stuck". Cannot however assess whether you are a good candidate. The people with the pointy things will do that.

Subversive · 06-02-2006, 10:24 PM

Men tend to work longer hours at more stressful and more dangerous jobs than women. This fact is slowly changing, which is why the difference in longevity is shrinking.

So if you want to live longer, don't kill yourself working too many hours at a stressful job that you hate--because you are in fact literally killing yourself. (Of course, that's easier said than done, especially when you are the primary breadwinner for your family and struggling financially.)

Catskillguy · 06-02-2006, 11:45 PM

I know some people that refuse to 'donate'. They say that the blood service that takes the blood sells it to hospitals, so why should they donate it. They sell it instead.

I felt that they have to sell it to make money to collect it, store it, record keeping, etc. I know there is a beuacracy too , but overall, if not them, who?

eyeguy13 · 06-03-2006, 01:17 AM

No, because everytime you give blood, you get to eat Twinkies, cookies, and sugary juice!

Actually, the Twinkie may prolong your life if you think about it...you can leave a wrapped Twinkie in your kitchen cabinet for 10 years, then eat it, and it will be as fresh as the day it was made. Maybe we all need some of that Twinkie power inside our blood stream!

tochatihu · 06-03-2006, 01:19 AM

Oh now you are going to make me an apologist for the Red Cross and United Blood Services!

Being on the receiving end for a bag is very expensive. Some of that money goes into testing the blood products for infectious diseases. If you are on the receiving end (and conscious) I imagine that you would want something without cooties.

Red Cross regularly shows up in the media for not managing their funds very well. Some of their top staff are rather overpaid and (IMHO) not awfully bright. But the system is what it is.

Some folks do choose to donate, then a bunch of stuff happens, then somebody at the other end gets a bag and a better chance of survival. That's just about it.

I have met many police and other emergency service workers, next couch over, all needled up. They come in on their day off because they have much experience what it's like on "the other end". It is quite humbling.

NuShrike · 06-03-2006, 08:42 AM

Women are shorter and displace less volume. That's less blood to pump and less stress on the heart besides different metabolism.

There's been studies that suggest lowering caloric intake, which lowers metabolism, helps slow the burning of your lifespan.

daniel · 06-03-2006, 10:45 AM

I think the lifespan thing has more to do with hormones.

I was never offered twinkies when donating blood, but this is a good thing. Those are disgusting. I'll take apple juice and a home-made cookie any day!

I'll just state my opinion that giving blood does not prolong the life of the donor, but it sure can prolong the life of the recipient.

pjm877 · 06-03-2006, 12:07 PM

I give, and having ab+ I get a call every now and then that a baby is having open heart... could I please come down... you are a very good match..

I should give more.. I at one time gave every xx days... they like my blood.

06-02-2006, 09:28 PM	#1
burritos Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,679 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts Friends: 8	Women on average live 5-6 years longer than men. They have strokes and heart attacks later in life. Medical studies have shown the hormone replacement therapy(estrogen) does NOT help strokes and heart attacks. So the main difference I can think of is the fact that they on average lose blood for the better part of 30 years regularly while males don't. Why this prevents heart attacks and strokes, who knows. Maybe the regular eliminating of toxins and lipids and replacing with freshly made-from-the-bone-marrow helps. Does this make sense? If so, give blood guys. __________________ “Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest” Denis Diderot

06-02-2006, 10:03 PM	#3
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,408 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	If there was ever a topic for Fred, this is it! I understand there is weak evidence for health benefits for the bleeding of males in particular. You gonna make me find the literature? I did whole blood donations about 80 times before the platelet people got their hooks in me. Since then I have been doing apherisis about every 3 weeks, About twice a year I try to "drop in" a whole blood donation, just to get rid of the stuff. Supposing, as perhaps you do, that there may be benefits to dumping that stuff from time to time. There is a big need for all blood products, but I would rather not be the rah-rah here. For those who can't or won't; consider taking (under doctors advice) aspirin regularly. I can assure you that it will strongly interfere with the ability of your platelets to make blood clots. This being approximately the same thing as stroke, and several initiators of myocardial infarction. I am perfectly willing to discuss privately with anyone the dire need for blood products, and what it is like to get "stuck". Cannot however assess whether you are a good candidate. The people with the pointy things will do that. __________________ DAS Tochatihu, the Hopi hummingbird kachina

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06-02-2006, 10:01 PM	#2
geologyrox Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 513 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	As I understand it, women lose 2tbsp a month for 30 years - I doubt it's the bloodletting thats doing it. Possible, perhaps, but I wouldn't try to prove causuality from just that. Though, I guess any excuse is good to donate blood - it certainly prolongs someones life, and makes you feel pretty good about yourself. I'm coming up on two gallons in a few months! =)

06-02-2006, 10:24 PM	#4
Subversive Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 250 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Men tend to work longer hours at more stressful and more dangerous jobs than women. This fact is slowly changing, which is why the difference in longevity is shrinking. So if you want to live longer, don't kill yourself working too many hours at a stressful job that you hate--because you are in fact literally killing yourself. (Of course, that's easier said than done, especially when you are the primary breadwinner for your family and struggling financially.)

06-02-2006, 11:45 PM	#5
Catskillguy Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mid Hudson Valley NY Posts: 536 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I know some people that refuse to 'donate'. They say that the blood service that takes the blood sells it to hospitals, so why should they donate it. They sell it instead. I felt that they have to sell it to make money to collect it, store it, record keeping, etc. I know there is a beuacracy too , but overall, if not them, who?

06-03-2006, 01:17 AM	#6
eyeguy13 Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 337 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	No, because everytime you give blood, you get to eat Twinkies, cookies, and sugary juice! Actually, the Twinkie may prolong your life if you think about it...you can leave a wrapped Twinkie in your kitchen cabinet for 10 years, then eat it, and it will be as fresh as the day it was made. Maybe we all need some of that Twinkie power inside our blood stream!

06-03-2006, 01:19 AM	#7
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,408 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	Oh now you are going to make me an apologist for the Red Cross and United Blood Services! Being on the receiving end for a bag is very expensive. Some of that money goes into testing the blood products for infectious diseases. If you are on the receiving end (and conscious) I imagine that you would want something without cooties. Red Cross regularly shows up in the media for not managing their funds very well. Some of their top staff are rather overpaid and (IMHO) not awfully bright. But the system is what it is. Some folks do choose to donate, then a bunch of stuff happens, then somebody at the other end gets a bag and a better chance of survival. That's just about it. I have met many police and other emergency service workers, next couch over, all needled up. They come in on their day off because they have much experience what it's like on "the other end". It is quite humbling.

06-03-2006, 08:42 AM	#8
NuShrike my other Mobile Suit is a ... Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,367 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Women are shorter and displace less volume. That's less blood to pump and less stress on the heart besides different metabolism. There's been studies that suggest lowering caloric intake, which lowers metabolism, helps slow the burning of your lifespan.

06-03-2006, 10:45 AM	#9
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 11,278 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 59 Thanked 201 Times in 127 Posts Friends: 0	I think the lifespan thing has more to do with hormones. I was never offered twinkies when donating blood, but this is a good thing. Those are disgusting. I'll take apple juice and a home-made cookie any day! I'll just state my opinion that giving blood does not prolong the life of the donor, but it sure can prolong the life of the recipient.

06-03-2006, 12:07 PM	#10
pjm877 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: austin, tx Posts: 246 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #3 Thanks: 12 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	I give, and having ab+ I get a call every now and then that a baby is having open heart... could I please come down... you are a very good match.. I should give more.. I at one time gave every xx days... they like my blood.