Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Secret To Long Life May Not Be In The Genes
Science Daily ^ | 5-6-2008 | Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

Posted on 05/05/2008 9:14:22 PM PDT by blam

The Secret To Long Life May Not Be In The Genes

ScienceDaily (May 6, 2008) — A research on the bone health of one of the oldest persons in the world, who recently died at the age of 114, reveals that there were no genetic modifications which could have contributed to this longevity. The research team, directed by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona professor Adolfo Díez Pérez, pointed out a healthy lifestyle, a Mediterranean diet, a temperate climate and regular physical activity as the reasons for his excellent health.

The research team studied the bone mass and analysed the genetics of a man with enviable health who at the time of the study was 113 years old. The research was carried out with four other members of his family: a 101-year-old brother, two daughters aged 81 and 77, and a nephew aged 85, all of them born and still living in a small town of the island of Menorca. The research findings were recently published in the Journal of Gerontology and reported that the man's bones were in excellent conditions: his bone mass was normal, there were no anomalous curvatures and he had never sustained a fracture.

With regard to the genetical analyses, researchers were unsuccessful in finding any mutations in the KLOTHO gene, which is generally related to a good level of mineral density and therefore healthy bones. Neither did they find any mutations in the LRP5 gene, which is associated with longevity. None of the members of the family who participated in the study presented any mutations in this gene.

The results of the research do not rule out the possibility that other genetic mutations could positively influence longevity. However, researchers do point out the fact that the excellent health of this family, and of the 113-year-old man in particular, is probably due to a Mediterranean diet, the temperate climate of the island, a lack of stress and regular physical activity. The article underlines the fact that until the age of 102, the man cycled every day and looked after the family orchard.

This research was directed by Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona professor Adolfo Díez Pérez, researcher at the Municipal Institute of Medical Research (IMIM) and doctor at Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, with the participation of IMIM researchers Leonardo Mellibovsky, Pau Lluch and Xavier Nogués, and researchers from the Department of Genetics at the University of Barcelona Mariona Bustamante, Susana Balcells and Daniel Grinberg.

Adapted from materials provided by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: agriculture; animalhusbandry; genes; helixmakemineadouble; huntergatherers; hydroxytyrosol; longlife; n3pfa; oleicacid; oliveoil; secret

1 posted on 05/05/2008 9:14:22 PM PDT by blam
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: blam

I’ve read that lots of olive oil in the diet, plus walking every day is a recipe for a long healthy life. 7th day adventists live long lives too, and they eschew meat, alcohol, and even caffeine.


2 posted on 05/05/2008 9:38:41 PM PDT by boop (Democracy is the theory that the people get the government they deserve, good and hard.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: boop

Gotta be better for health and long life than cigarettes, beer, potato chips, sugar stuff, white bread and the tv. Doesn’t really take a lot of smarts to figure that out.


3 posted on 05/05/2008 9:41:36 PM PDT by cowdog77 (Circle the Wagons)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: boop

With the 7th Day Adventist lifestyle- you don’t actually live any longer- it just feels like you do...


4 posted on 05/05/2008 9:48:47 PM PDT by Serious Capitalist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Serious Capitalist

LOL!!

I drink a small glass of red wine in the evening, use olive oil, eat a handful of plain roasted almonds everyday, and avoid mercury-laden fish. Maybe it’ll work.


5 posted on 05/05/2008 10:00:03 PM PDT by SatinDoll (Desperately desiring a conservative government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: SatinDoll

I’m on the chocolate-and-coffee plan.


6 posted on 05/05/2008 11:00:16 PM PDT by Marie2 (I used to be disgusted. . .now I try to be amused.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: boop

I was going to leave a two word response but see you already covered it. Olive oil. ; )


7 posted on 05/05/2008 11:44:49 PM PDT by TigersEye (Berlin 1936. Olympics for murdering regimes. Beijing 2008.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: TigersEye

When my late wife asked our 90 year old neighbor what the secret to her longevity was, we got a shocking answer, “I tried never to do anything to help other people, and only did things for myself” was her answer. Needless to say, it was something of a shock to hear her say that her long life was due to her selfishness.

Funny, 8 years later, she is still alive, but my wife has been dead for 4 years, and died at 39.

Maybe she is on to something.


8 posted on 05/06/2008 12:40:55 AM PDT by MrNeutron1962
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: MrNeutron1962

Wrong metric. It’s not the length of a person’s life, but the quality of the life they lead.


9 posted on 05/06/2008 12:49:08 AM PDT by durasell (!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Marie2

Sshh - don’t tell anybody, but I do THAT alone in my closet!


10 posted on 05/06/2008 12:57:52 AM PDT by SatinDoll (Desperately desiring a conservative government.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: MrNeutron1962
I'm really sorry you lost your wife at such a young age. I see by your profile that you have recovered and that's a wonderful thing.

But I think your neighbor is wrong. I think a certain self-interest is a good thing like having healthy boundaries. But there is much to be gained from helping others and IMO that gratification is good for the mind and in turn the health of the body. I'm afraid no one can see or foresee all of the tremendous number of variables that come to play in our lives though.

11 posted on 05/06/2008 1:54:29 AM PDT by TigersEye (Berlin 1936. Olympics for murdering regimes. Beijing 2008.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: blam

lift weights


12 posted on 05/06/2008 4:53:32 AM PDT by larryjohnson (FReepersonaltrainer,USAF(Ret))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

Thing is I know too many people who didn’t live well and live a long life.

The best example is my friend’s grandfather who drank and smoked every day from age 20 on. Lived to be 107 and was able bodied to the day he died.


13 posted on 05/06/2008 5:38:52 AM PDT by Free Vulcan (No prisoners. No mercy. Fight back or STFU!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

My plan is to live forever. So far, so good...


14 posted on 05/06/2008 6:16:56 AM PDT by TopDog2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TopDog2

Live forever, or die trying.


15 posted on 05/06/2008 10:46:23 AM PDT by Colinsky
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson