Genetics may have far more to do with longevity than previously thought

[ls99]

I might be an outlier. Age wise outlived my father, mother, brother, grandmother(s), grandfather(s) etc.
Genetically my body is now in uncharted territory. Kind of a the Colombus method, see what I will discover
Far as I know, none of them danced, maybe that is the trick. Or whatever.
Maybe all the chemicals in American food, am getting preserved

 

[Montecfo]

The lifespans of my older relatives line up with what the Science study found, i.e., high genetic heritability. It was especially striking in DF's family. All of his maternal aunts, his grandmother and his mother died in their mid-to-late 80s, with one making it just to 90. His father also died at 86. I remember noticing this trend many years ago and wondering if DF would make it past 85. I got my answer a few years ago when he died just shy of 87. This was in spite of very different lifestyles and health habits (e.g., some were smokers, some weren't; some were highly sedentary, some [like DF] were very active; etc.).

This lines up with my theory also.

 

[fognostic]

Anyone ever read Methuselah's Children?

 

[Dawg52]

Based on my family’s lifespan I feel like I’m tip toeing on eggshells. My brother died at 56 from cancer but my dad made it to 84 and mom 95. First cousins all over the map. But I do what I can do in getting plenty of exercise and eating sensibly. Outside of that I don’t worry about it.

 

[karen1972]

Maybe I missed it, I didn't see any indication if it was more from the mother or fathers side or maybe its a merge? That would be interesting to know.

I've always assumed genetics play a big roll because I have a lot of extremely overweight relatives living into their late 80s doing just fine thus outpacing even average lifespans. Their siblings leading a more active, "healthier" lifestyle are often making it into their 90s and even 100s.

One thing I've noticed most is we don't "age" the same as other people. ie. often people guess our ages to be 10 to even 20 years younger than we actually are and that is true on both sides of my family. We just seem to age slower it seems. People guess my age all the time to be about 15 years younger than I am. I noticed that trend a lot in people who tend to live to almost 100. I just met someone who was 74 (she looks 60) and her mom stopped over who is 95 and still driving and looks maybe mid 70s.

 

[Teacher Terry]

The main reason I watch my weight and exercise is because I do not want to end up like a few of my friends where they can barely get in out of a chair and need a walker. These people were overweight the 30 years I have known them and never exercised. While there’s no guarantees, I’m doing my best to stay active. One friend cannot get up if she falls and has to call the ambulance to come get her up. She’s 79.

 

[Jimq]

Genetics plays a role in longevity, but it accounts for only about 20–30% of how long you live, while 70–80% is determined by lifestyle and environment, including diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and avoiding smoking. Your genes can influence your risk for conditions like heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure, but healthy habits have a much greater impact on preventing these and extending lifespan. The most important takeaway is that while you can’t change your genetics, your daily choices have the biggest influence on how long and how well you live. Genes load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

 

[REWahoo]

Genetics plays a role in longevity, but it accounts for only about 20–30% of how long you live...

Not according to the study linked by the OP (me).

 

[Cognito]

Go back to @Alan. His dad was a coal miner from the age of 14 to the age 60. He smoked 2 packs a day and died at 92 yrs old. My wife hates it when I say you are born with a clock. Take care of yourself, and you will spend less time on the nurse's buzzer. But the clock is ticking.
Ask Mickey Mantle. His father worked in the mines and died at 40. Mickey was the first male in his family to live past 43.

 

[AudiDudi]

Anyone ever read Methuselah's Children?

Big Heinlein fan - have read most of his books, including the one you mention.

 

[Out of Steam]

While there’s no guarantees, I’m doing my best to stay active. One friend cannot get up if she falls and has to call the ambulance to come get her up. She’s 79.

In our teens, my brother and I had this task for our great aunt, supervised by our mother. Like my mother, she lived into her 80s despite the weight. My mother's side of the family is generally long-lived, while my father's is all over the map, with a fair number of deaths before 60.

Right now, I'm trying to drop the last 15-20 pounds to get to my desired weight. My immediate reason is different, though. In my mid-60s, my remaining partners for reasonably challenging hikes are either significantly younger or built like distance runners.

 

[razztazz]

while you can’t change your genetics, your daily choices have the biggest influence on how long and how well you live. Genes load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

Actually these are not and cannot be known. It's feel good pop science. We have all heard despite those who will deny it) the stories of the smoker/drinker/driven type who lives a way long time and mr no smoker/none drinker exercises all the time who dies at 50 from a heart attack or something. You can look at numbers and infer "the chances" but "your chances" are not knowable. It's 100% vs 0% and it's all behind the Green Door. This is exactly what Life looks like.

 

[finnski1]

Genetics or not it's quality of life for me. Therefore, I exercise regularly and generally feel very healthy most of the time. My genetics are probably average (mom at 82 cancer, dad at 72 lifelong smoker, emphysema) and I hope to beat the averages.

 

[bloom2708]

Could it be the genes AND the family traditions?

Kids growing up with family traditions. Holidays. Active or inactive. Types and quantities of food consumed. Alcohol consumed. A lot going on that plays into longevity.

 

[Tuirc]

K



+1. This seems like such a 'Duh!' to me.

My primary reason for eating healthy, exercising regularly, and remaining thin, is to feel good in the moment. Not to prolong my life - just enhance the day-to-day quality of it.

Agree, my grandparents on both sides live to at least upper 80s. On my paternal side, my grandfather died at 93 after a fall (and previously deciding he was fed up with living). My grandmother is 102 still living on her own. My dad died at 52 (kind of the way it works in our family. If you make it past 55, you're probably living a long time, but 48-53 is very dicey.

I'm focused on health span and not becoming frail in old age. Made sure I dropped below BMI of 25, 5 years ago. Don't want to stress my joints, among other things, any more than I have to.

 

[Gumby]

Big Heinlein fan - have read most of his books, including the one you mention.

Another of his novels that explores similar topics regarding everlasting life is "I Will Fear No Evil", which I read while I was a teen.

 

[Music Lover]

Genetics or not it's quality of life for me. Therefore, I exercise regularly and generally feel very healthy most of the time. My genetics are probably average (mom at 82 cancer, dad at 72 lifelong smoker, emphysema) and I hope to beat the averages.

I agree. I can't change my genetics but with a healthy diet and plenty of muscle mass and good cardio from regular exercise I can make the most of every year I have left.

Maybe I'll get unlucky with something beyond my control but if not then I won't be the feeble 85-year old that needs help getting out of a chair.