Yes, genetics plays a role, but much less than you would think. Whether you have the genetics to live to 110 or 80 means little if you screw around with your health. Today, when a person passes away at 82, everyone says he or she lived a long life. Would you agree with that if he or she could have lived to 95 by experiencing a healthier lifestyle? No one knows how long they will truly live, but one thing is clear–it will be less than possible if you live a poor lifestyle.
According to a MacArthur Foundation study, lifestyle is significantly more reliable than heredity as an indicator of longevity. Indeed, only 30 percent of physical aging can be blamed on genes. Behavior that leads to dramatic increases in longevity has three components: avoiding disease and disability; maintaining high physical and mental function; and continuing to engage actively in life." In their book Successful Aging, based on the decade long MacArthur study, Doctors John Rowe and Robert Kahn make frequent reference to the Swedish National Twin Registry (close to 25,000 sets of same-sex twins born between 1886 and 1958). Since the pool of subjects includes twins separated at birth, MacArthur researchers were able to test nature versus nurture hypotheses. For example, in cases of hypertension, high cholesterol, and lung function, illnesses long-believed to depend heavily on heredity, results indicated that as we grow older our genes play a less important role than our lifestyles. The authors also offer details on the close relationship of physical exercise to mental ability. In summary, the MacArthur’s 16 experts and a decade of study reveal the secret to "the new longevity": Use it or lose it.
We've further researched this subject, including taking a close look at studies of centenarians (people who live over 100), and have identified the commonalites among the pockets of centenarian groups spread across the globe. As the studies have shown, its mostly about lifestyle–not genetics. yet, many people question the value of living to 100. They fear they will be unable to enjoy life, will suffer from dementia, and will have to struggle with the costs of many medical problems. It turns out it is just the opposite. 100 year olds report among the highest levels of well being, spend the least on their health care, and often pass without enduring much of the pain and suffering experienced by those who die in their 70s and 80s.
So we can't guarantee you will live to 100, but with MDPrevent, you will learn how others do and what you can do to improve your lifespan, why living longer requires less total spending on healthcare, and why longevity actually leads to a more fulfilling overall life.
As far as we are concerned, Heaven Can Wait!