Can Genetics Help You Live Longer?

by: Donna Wright 

The longest human life ever recorded is actually an impressive 122 years … a French man considered the longest-lived person.  

So, while your first thought may be to say that the 122 year old man had inherited “good genes” from his parents, it’s important to get the real facts about the correlation between genetics and longevity. You may be surprised at the role genetics play – and doesn’t play – in lifespan. 

Is Longevity Even Genetic? 

When it comes to the question, “Is Longevity Genetic?,” you may be surprised at the answer. Although you may have many relatives that reached close to 100 years old, that does not really guarantee you a long lifespan. And, if you come from a long line of relatives with premature deaths, that does not mean you will follow suit. 

Lifespan is a vast blend of genetics mixed in with lifestyle and environmental factors. This lessens the role that genetics was once thought to play in longevity, according to a study published in Nature Medicine Journal. 

There’s a lot you can do to take control of your own destiny when it comes to longevity, regardless of how long your relatives lived. We can’t change our genes, but we can control our lifestyle … and that seems to be more important. 

What are Genes? 

Genes are coded information that determine traits we inherit from our parents. Genes are made up of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a molecule that holds information, a unique code for one specific protein. There can be 100,000 different genes found on each chromosome (structure made from tightly packed strands of DNA) inside the cells. Genes, DNA, and chromosomes comprise the complete set of genetic instructions for every person, including gender, physical features, and medical risks. 

What is a Genetic Predisposition? 

According to cancer.gov, genetic predisposition is defined as “an increased chance or likelihood of developing a particular disease based on the presence of one or more genetic variants and/or a family history suggestive of an increased risk of the disease.”  

That means genes play a role in determining our predisposition to various medical conditions. But a genetic predisposition does not mean you are destined to develop a specific medical condition. It’s just a heads up that you might have a higher risk. Lifestyle and environmental factors also affect an individual's risk of disease. A genetic predisposition is a motivator to focus your wellness efforts to prevent said diseases. 

Are There Specific Aging Genes? 

Understanding the role of genes in aging and the genetic mechanisms behind the scenes of aging is crucial to health and longevity. There is an actual “theory of aging” that suggests aging is determined by genetic factors, specific genes that regulate lifespan and age-related changes. In other words, your “aging” genes may be directly responsible for how long you'll live. Rest assured, it’s only a “theory.” 

So, what are the aging genes? According to the Genetic Literacy Project, the most consistent genetic links with longevity is in the APOE gene. The more commonly known e4 variant increases the risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the e2 variant of this gene is associated with a longer lifespan. Specific aging genes are typically involved in the body’s processes of cellular repair and metabolism.  

Another gene connected to longevity is the FOXO3 gene, a common gene linked to increased lifespans. This gene plays a role in cellular stress resistance and inflammation regulation, both critical for maintaining health as we age.  

The Role of Genes With Health Issues 

While some genes can help enhance longevity, other genes are not beneficial to your health and can adversely affect lifespan. Let’s delve further into how genes affect health issues.  

Genetic diseases are caused by an abnormal gene (mutation) and inherited from one or both parents. 

Four types of genetic disorders: 

<1> Chromosome abnormalities 
<2> Multifactorial inheritance 
<3> Mitochondrial inheritance diseases 
<4> Single gene inheritance 

Some examples of chromosome abnormalities include Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, and Turner syndrome. Some examples of multifactorial inheritance include Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. Single-gene disorders include cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and Huntington's disease. Mitochondrial diseases can affect almost any part of your body, including the cells of your brain, eyes, heart, kidney, liver, muscles, pancreas, and more. 

Other genes, when mutated, can cause serious medical conditions and even increase the risk of developing cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations passed down from a parent predispose the child to breast cancer. And that brings us to consider whether cancer is a genetic disease. Yes, cancer is a genetic disease caused by changes in genes that control how cells grow and multiply. Remember, cells are the building blocks of the body and each cell holds a copy of your genes. So, any genetic changes can occur as cells divide. Keep in mind, genetic changes that cause cancer can either be inherited or happen because of environmental factors.  

Inheriting a cancer-related genetic mutation does not mean a person will get cancer. It means the risk of getting cancer might increase. 

What Role Does DNA Have on Lifespan? 

While genes offer some indication about the potential for longevity, genes are just one part of the equation. If you’re concerned about lifespan, genetic testing can uncover risk factors earlier allowing you to make changes to encourage healthy aging.  

How does DNA testing work? “Telomeres” are the segments of DNA that occur at the end of chromosomes to help determine the lifespan of a single cell. Telomeres become shorter every time a cell divides, and eventually the cells can no longer divide without losing important pieces of DNA. The result: the aging process and cell breakdown starts to speed up, increasing the risk of chronic illnesses and decreasing lifespan. Genetic testing helps determine how old your cells are compared to your real age. The best outcome of genetic testing would be to determine that you have longer telomeres, a good sign that your cells are aging slowly as a result of healthier lifestyle habits. 

The Role of Lifestyle vs. the Gene Pool 

When you’re trying to live the longest life possible, equally as important as your genes is practicing good habits. The combined effects of genetics and lifestyle choices have a direct impact on your health and lifespan. Factors such as diet, physical activity, social connections, and mental health significantly influence how a potential genetic predisposition could impact someone. 

Eating healthily, maintaining physical fitness, reducing stress, and getting adequate sleep can help keep your body’s vital organs functioning smoothly at the cellular level. Healthy habits can also help regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, hormone balance, inflammation, and more. Healthy behaviors also include avoiding smoking and drugs and limiting alcohol consumption. 

You Can’t Control Your Genes, But You Can Control Your Lifestyle 

When it comes to longevity, your lifestyle plays a key role in your health and how your inherited “good genes” or “bad genes” affect you.  

The good news is that you’re not at the mercy of “bad gene.” According to Mayo Clinic Press, genetics do influence the aging process, but “genes only account for no more than about 20% of longevity while the other 80% of factors are from diet, physical activity, stress, lifestyle, environmental, and other factors.” 

So we can all change poor habits to good habits and take back control of our destinies.   

While having “good genes” may give you some advantages, the healthy habits you practice could make the difference in determining how long and how well you live.