Healthy Living News

Rare Genes May Allow Super-Long Lives

by Howard LeWine, M.D.
Harvard Medical School

People who live to be at least 110 may be protected from disease by rare differences in some genes, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed the entire genetic makeup (genome) of two people. The man and woman had both lived past the age of 114. Both had about as many gene mutations linked to disease as most people. But each of them also had other gene mutations that had not been seen before. Researchers said it's possible these gene differences are linked with longer life. The journal Frontiers in Genetics published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it January 8.

What Is the Doctor's Reaction?

Today, life expectancy at birth is close to 80 years in the United States. This is a great leap forward from 1900. At that time, the average newborn couldn't expect to reach age 50.

If you live to celebrate certain milestones of age, your life expectancy stretches. The longer you live, the longer you're likely to live. In fact, if you make it to 90, there is a reasonable chance you can reach 100. And a few will reach 110. These are the supercentenarians.

What allows some people to live so long? First, they need to lead healthy lifestyles. They also need to be fortunate to live in a nontoxic environment that has a low level of infectious diseases.

During the first 85 years of life, genetics plays a smaller role. The genes you inherit from your parents account for only 20% to 25% of the reasons that you make it to that age. Not smoking, limiting alcohol, eating healthfully and getting plenty of exercise matter the most.

Once you hit your mid-80s, your genes matter more and more. And once your reach your 90s, how much longer you are likely to live was determined the day your father's sperm fertilized your mother's egg.

Thomas Perls, M.D., has led many studies helping us understand why some people can live well past 100. Now he and his colleagues provide more exciting new information. It is based on a complete sequencing of the genome of two people who lived past their 114th birthdays. Results appear in the most recent issue of the journal Frontiers in Genetics.

The two supercentenarians had:

• DNA that appeared to be very similar to people who did not have long lives
• The same number of known disease-linked genes as most other human genomes sequenced so far
• A small number of genes that were unexpected and not seen before -- perhaps these new genes might be life-extenders

The research results suggest that some common and rare genes linked with long life may offset the disease-linked genes. This might then allow an extended lifespan.

What Changes Can I Make Now?

No need to get your genome analyzed yet. It won't change what you need to do now.

You have the power to change many thinks that influence your health and how long you live. Here are 10 steps to take:

1. Don't smoke.
2. Build physical and mental activities into every day.
3. Eat a healthy diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits. Reduce or avoid unhealthy saturated fats and trans fats. Instead, use healthier monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
4. If you worry that your diet does not provide enough vitamins and minerals, take a daily multivitamin. Also be sure to get enough calcium and vitamin D.
5. Maintain a healthy weight and body shape.
6. Challenge your mind.
7. Build a strong social network.
8. Protect your sight, hearing and general health by following preventive care guidelines.
9. Floss, brush and see a dentist regularly. Poor oral health may have many effects. It can lead to poor nutrition, pain and possibly even a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.
10. Discuss with your doctor whether you need any medicine to help you stay healthy. These might include medicines to control high blood pressure, treat osteoporosis or lower cholesterol, for example.

What Can I Expect Looking to the Future?

Researchers will sequence and analyze the genomes of more people who survive to extremely old age. This will provide new insight into what allows us to maintain health after we reach 80. But to reach a healthy 80, lifestyle choices and environment will always be the more important issues.

Categories: Men's Health, Women's Health

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