Researchers at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess and Children’s Hospitals have isolated a cluster of genes believed to regulate our longevity determining the likelihood that we’ll reach 90+ years of age.

By sampling DNA from 137 people who have lived to be 98 or more as well as one of their siblings, scientists believe wth 95% certainty that they’ve located 100 to 150 genes on Chromosone 4 responsible for seeing us into old age. 95% for a scientist is pretty darned certain!

There is so much more work that needs to be done here.  How do the genes interact with each other?  Which are responsible for certain aspects of aging?  The researchers were looking to explain the disease-resistance and survival rates of these long-lived souls.  In the process they also discovered “centenarians’ brothers and sisters have a four times greater chance of living to age 91 compared to siblings of a control group.”

I’ve been saying for years that I’m going to live to be 100 because longevity runs in my family; a bunch of my aunts and uncles have gotten up into the 90s.  I take care of myself and always have.  I never smoked, drank too much, and I’m, um, a bit of a fitness nut (hence the blog).  As long as I don’t get hit by a bus, I’m good. I’ve got the genes and I’m doing the right things.

The researchers caution that living a poor lifestyle can’t be overcome by your genes.  So if you keep dumping crap into your body you’re going to pay for that with increased disease risk and shorter life span.

What do you think?  If you knew you had good genes, would you take better care of yourself?

Very curious about your answers,

Lisa

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