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Senior Times: Heredity and life expectancy
By TERRY MAXWELL/Arizona Range News
It is commonly believed that genes or heredity play a major role in determining to what extent the human body declines with advancing age. Without question, there is a correlation between life expectancy and genetics. However, researchers have found that this relationship may have been overstated by health professionals over the years.
Most of the information on the biology of aging isn't written and published for the benefit of the general public, but rather for professional gerontologists and the academic community. Also, information in the news media is often oversimplified as a result of needed brevity and pressing deadlines.
The most significant influence of heredity on aging can be observed in genetic-related diseases that dramatically reduce life expectancy, such as some forms of cancer.
According to Successful Aging authors John W. Rowe, M.D. and Robert L. Kahn Ph.D., "Genes play a key role in promoting disease, but that only tells less than half of the story."
The MacArthur Research program on successful aging studied both identical and non-identical twins that had been raised in different environments. Through longitudinal studies, researchers have been able to determine the importance of heredity and environment on the numerous physical and mental changes associated with advancing age.
According to MacArthur Foundation findings, only about 30 percent of physical aging can be attributed to our genes. This is encouraging news for those of us that are plagued by family history of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other heredity-related chronic diseases,
Recent studies have established that a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, a routine exercise program, and keeping cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight under control, may reduce the possibility of being afflicted with Alzheimer's disease in old age.
A study of 25,000 identical twins in Sweden over a 90-year period of time found that at least 50 percent of age-related cognitive decline could be blamed on the genes. Therefore, there is room for a healthy lifestyle to protect and nurture the body and stimulate the mind
During the twilight years of life, genetics play a reduced role compared to lifestyle influences. For example, weight gain in the elderly years of life, increased cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure and diminished lung function are the result of the aging process and poor lifestyle choices.
Unfortunately, a large number of elderly people take the position that their genetic makeup will determine life expectancy and all of us are preprogrammed to die at a specific period in time, regardless of life-style, This assumption is not true, according to gerontologists.
The ability and desire to stimulate the mind and body through routine aerobic exercise, pursuit of knowledge and the development of affable social relationships and formal or informal education opportunities, among others, are not restricted by heredity factors.
Authors Rowe and Kahn argue that while certain personality traits may be in part genetic, maintenance of good health enhances the likelihood of remaining active and engaged in life. One's degree of vitality and interpersonal connection in life is largely determined by non-genetic factors.
If our parents lived into their 80s and 90s, the possibility that we will also have a long life is excellent. Yet, the existence of favorable family genes doesn't mean that we can throw caution to the wind and reject good personal health practices, follow a sedentary lifestyle, avoid health professionals, drink to excess, smoke and use illicit drugs. To do so is very risky and is viewed as self-destructive by health professionals.
MacArthur Foundation researchers have established through scientific evidence that we are fundamentally responsible for our own adventure into old age. The myth that the road we travel in life is genetically predetermined and etched in stone has been shattered to a large extent.
Due to the ever-increasing number of baby boomers, a more educated and healthy elderly population, and the tide of research surrounding the aging process, America is beginning to change its perception and understanding of what constitutes aging and being elderly in the 21st century,
(Editor's Note: Terry Maxwell can be reached by email at (terryMaxwell@m33access.com.)
Most of the information on the biology of aging isn't written and published for the benefit of the general public, but rather for professional gerontologists and the academic community. Also, information in the news media is often oversimplified as a result of needed brevity and pressing deadlines.
The most significant influence of heredity on aging can be observed in genetic-related diseases that dramatically reduce life expectancy, such as some forms of cancer.
According to Successful Aging authors John W. Rowe, M.D. and Robert L. Kahn Ph.D., "Genes play a key role in promoting disease, but that only tells less than half of the story."
The MacArthur Research program on successful aging studied both identical and non-identical twins that had been raised in different environments. Through longitudinal studies, researchers have been able to determine the importance of heredity and environment on the numerous physical and mental changes associated with advancing age.
According to MacArthur Foundation findings, only about 30 percent of physical aging can be attributed to our genes. This is encouraging news for those of us that are plagued by family history of cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other heredity-related chronic diseases,
Recent studies have established that a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, a routine exercise program, and keeping cholesterol levels, blood pressure and weight under control, may reduce the possibility of being afflicted with Alzheimer's disease in old age.
A study of 25,000 identical twins in Sweden over a 90-year period of time found that at least 50 percent of age-related cognitive decline could be blamed on the genes. Therefore, there is room for a healthy lifestyle to protect and nurture the body and stimulate the mind
During the twilight years of life, genetics play a reduced role compared to lifestyle influences. For example, weight gain in the elderly years of life, increased cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure and diminished lung function are the result of the aging process and poor lifestyle choices.
Unfortunately, a large number of elderly people take the position that their genetic makeup will determine life expectancy and all of us are preprogrammed to die at a specific period in time, regardless of life-style, This assumption is not true, according to gerontologists.
The ability and desire to stimulate the mind and body through routine aerobic exercise, pursuit of knowledge and the development of affable social relationships and formal or informal education opportunities, among others, are not restricted by heredity factors.
Authors Rowe and Kahn argue that while certain personality traits may be in part genetic, maintenance of good health enhances the likelihood of remaining active and engaged in life. One's degree of vitality and interpersonal connection in life is largely determined by non-genetic factors.
If our parents lived into their 80s and 90s, the possibility that we will also have a long life is excellent. Yet, the existence of favorable family genes doesn't mean that we can throw caution to the wind and reject good personal health practices, follow a sedentary lifestyle, avoid health professionals, drink to excess, smoke and use illicit drugs. To do so is very risky and is viewed as self-destructive by health professionals.
MacArthur Foundation researchers have established through scientific evidence that we are fundamentally responsible for our own adventure into old age. The myth that the road we travel in life is genetically predetermined and etched in stone has been shattered to a large extent.
Due to the ever-increasing number of baby boomers, a more educated and healthy elderly population, and the tide of research surrounding the aging process, America is beginning to change its perception and understanding of what constitutes aging and being elderly in the 21st century,
(Editor's Note: Terry Maxwell can be reached by email at (terryMaxwell@m33access.com.)
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