Living to see 100 is just luck, not lifestyle

The Telegraph ^ | Aug 3, 2011 | Stephen Adams

[Clairity]

Taking regular exercise, drinking only in moderation and watching what you eat makes no difference to one's chances of reaching 100, research has found.

Those who are lucky enough to qualify for a telegram from the Queen have simply been dealt a good genetic hand at birth, the study indicates.

Academics studied almost 500 people between 95 and 109 and compared them with over 3,000 others born during the same period.

They found those who lived extremely long lives ate just as badly, drank and smoked just as much, took just as little exercise and were just as likely to be overweight as their long-gone friends.

[Clairity]

It's all in the genes -- rediscovered. Everyone knew this, but then it was not PC to point out that some people have genes that make them smart, make them thin, make them live a long life.

[Clairity]

Another article:

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-longevity-genes-20110803,0,5216590.story

“The key, researchers concluded, may lie in genetics. “This study suggests that centenarians may possess additional longevity genes that help to buffer them against the harmful effects of an unhealthy lifestyle,” said senior author Dr. Nir Barzilai in a news release. Barzilai is director of the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in tNew York, N.Y.”

[_a_0_0_]

Living to see 100 is just luck...

That's for sure...

“...the complete lives system combines four morally relevant principles: youngest-first, prognosis, lottery, and saving the most lives."

[Clairity]

Clean living key to long life? Don’t believe it

100-year-olds report lifetime of lousy health choices in major study

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43992058/ns/health-aging/

“Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have found that many very old people — age 95 and older — could be poster children for bad health behaviorwith their smoking, drinking, poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise.”

[Clairity]

Yes, there will always be a few lucky ones, who won’t be killed by Obamacare prematurily...

[CaptainK]

I would consider it lucky not to live till 100.

[Clairity]

It all depends on the quality of life — some people are still active in the 90-100 age range.

[HerrBlucher]

Good, now I feel better about my cigars and bourbon habit. I wasn’t going to give them up anyway but its nice to know that it wouldn’t matter a tinkers damn even if I did. Finally, some good news.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I’ve given up everything else but I’m not giving up red wine. Just kill me now. My mom is almost 89 and still going strong. Drives her car to church, PO, grocery etc and lives in the house across the street. She has a more active social life than we do.

[ladyvet]

My Genes suck. We're talking late fifties as history. I'm gonna enjoy myself without being over the top about it.

[kaki]

My Dad turns 102 in Oct. this year. He has a beer every day with boiled peanuts before he takes his “catnap”, then eats lunch. Naps until he gets up to watch Fox News at 6:00 while he has two mixed drinks. Has his dinner and goes to bed at his home after sitters help him to bed. Until he was 97, drove anywhere he wanted. Would have driven longer, but had the good sense to know with Macular Degenerative Disease, he must stop. BTW, he goes to Sunday School every Sunday and is first there. He is also still aware of what goes on in his businesses he started over 50 and 25 years ago. He asked me constantly what is going on in the world of politics. He to this day, has not missed voting!!!!

[kaki]

My Dad turns 102 in Oct. this year. He has a beer every day with boiled peanuts before he takes his “catnap”, then eats lunch. Naps until he gets up to watch Fox News at 6:00 while he has two mixed drinks. Has his dinner and goes to bed at his home after sitters help him to bed. Until he was 97, drove anywhere he wanted. Would have driven longer, but had the good sense to know with Macular Degenerative Disease, he must stop. BTW, he goes to Sunday School every Sunday and is first there. He is also still aware of what goes on in his businesses he started over 50 and 25 years ago. He asked me constantly what is going on in the world of politics. He to this day, has not missed voting!!!!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Only thing I’ve noticed is that not too many really elderly folk (90 plus) who still get around well either smoke or appear portly, although they may have done so when younger.

[umgud]

3 of my grandparents made it to their mid 90’s. They were not paragons of a healthy lifestyle. My dad is 78 and is healthy as a horse.

[Axenolith]

My maternal grandfather still has 2-3 fingers of Wild Turkey or VA Gentleman each afternoon (”Doctor says it probably won’t be what kills me”) and he turned 99 in March. Saw him a few weeks back, he said “hurry back, I’ll still be here as long as Ma keeps feedin’ me” (She’s 93 or 4)

[Windflier]

Dayum! I want to be like your dad when I grow up! LOL

[Clairity]

“My Genes suck”

This is where a “healthy lifestyle” — without overdoing it can help you.

Just remember that wine and chocolate are health foods. :)

[Clairity]

“I’m not giving up red wine.”

Red wine is actually good for you. :)

[Windflier]

3 of my grandparents made it to their mid 90’s. They were not paragons of a healthy lifestyle. My dad is 78 and is healthy as a horse.

Same here. My grandparents lived as they saw fit, and lived to very old ages. My maternal granddad was a chain smoker, and my paternal granddad had a few beers every night.

My mom and dad don't have the smoke and drink vices, but they're 78 and 81, respectively. Both are fit as a fiddle and still going strong.

[djf]

Contradicts the findings of The Longevity Project. http://www.howardsfriedman.com/longevityproject/