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A recent analysis of records of court eunuchs in Korea suggests that castration prolongs life. The documents pertaining to eighty-one Korean eunuchs who lived between the mid-16th and mid-19th centuries showed that, on average, they lived 14 to 19 years longer than their non-castrated peers.


According to Kyung Jin Min of Inha University in Incheon, South Korea, "It provides some of the most compelling evidence yet that the male sex hormone, testosterone, reduces male lifespan."

More alarmingly, the conclusion supports the theory that testosterone-fuelled reproduction comes at a price because it increases the risk of heart disease and cancer and reduces the strength of the immune system.

Quite eeriely, Min revealed that many earlier studies show that castration prolongs the life of animals from 24 to 27 months in rats, for example.

Unbelievable? CLICK HERE for more.

Check out ABC News article on Eunuchs may hold key to longevity.

Over HERE, BBC reports:

Castration before puberty prevents the shift from boy to man. One of the scientists involved in the study, Dr Cheol-Koo Lee from Korea University, said: "The records said that eunuchs had some women-like appearances such as no moustache hair, large breasts, big hips and thin high-pitched voice."

Eunuchs had important roles in many cultures from protecting harems to castrati superstar singing sensations. The imperial court of the Korean Chosun dynasty used eunuchs to guard the gates and manage food. They were the only men outside the royal family allowed to spend the night in the palace.

They could not have children of their own, so they adopted girls or castrated boys. CLICK HERE for more.

WIRED has an excellent article HERE on this topic.

I wonder if anyone today would even dream of considering this option just to prolong their lives. Comments from readers are most welcome. Take care and have a great day!