Are stress resistance and longevity really linked in normal living conditions?
BACKGROUND
The existence of a positive relationship between stress resistance and longevity is often accepted, but this conclusion mainly stems from studies putting animals in adverse conditions such as food restriction.


OBJECTIVE
It is argued that a positive correlation between stress resistance and longevity has not been clearly observed at the individual level in animals or humans living in nonstressful conditions. Experiments should verify this point.


CONCLUSIONS
If experiments would fail to show this correlation, there would be no ground for the proposal that treatments stimulating stress resistance could increase longevity and health.
Le Bourg
Eric
E
Laboratoire d'Ethologie et de Cognition Animale, FRE CNRS 2382, Université Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
D000818:Animals; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D012016:Reference Values; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000209:etiology*