Can you live to be a 100 or more?

Could you be one of the few who have genes that can determine how long you will live? You could very well be one of 3 individuals in 1000 with the DNA to live well past 100. New research on 1055 people who were over the age of 100 had a gene variation that proves to be somewhat responsible for longevity, according to Boston University & Italy. The centenarians who were a part of this study were mostly grouped into 19 clusters of genetic signatures that are related to age onset dementia, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Although the prediction of longevity is not 100%, diet and exercise are among the environmental factors that contribute greatly to survival, according to the study. Still screening for the longevity genes will be helpful in determining age related diseases and customizing medications that would best work with certain genetic groups, said Paola Sebastiani, Professor of Biostatics at Boston University School of Public Health. Still researchers are looking to find the answers as to why 150 genetic markers play a role in longevity in centenarians.

In the U.S, that average life expectancy is 78.3 for those born in 2010 (according to the U.S Census). The Census also reported that 3 of 1000 Americans (104,754 among the 309.6 million) were reported living over the age of 100. This number is expected to increase more than fivefold by 2050.

Believe it or not, living long is very common among many cultures that take care of their elderly and they themselves eat well; remain active and live away from areas with high pollution. A good example is the Abkhasians who live in a region of Georgia that is considered very mountainous. This culture treats their elderly with great respect and look to them for guidance and wisdom. This culture also has a history of living anywhere from 100 years to 130 years of age.

In closing, living long involves caring for yourself and those around you and it means taking a better look at what really is important in this life.