For Most Centenarians, Longevity Is Written in the DNA

Reader Comments
Back to article

My Aunt Nettie Crabbs passed away in Macy, In July 10th at age 102-1/2. Her antecedents were Scots/Irish and German, and her Mother lived to be 95. Nettie waqs active well into her late 90's, as was her Mother. Therein lies the secret of longevity: Family, activity, love of life and faith in God.

Bob Fields of MI 12:35AM July 13, 2010

It's in your attitude. My grandma lived to 99 and used to complain about all these "old" (85 to 95) people in the church that slowed her down. My uncle lived to 82 but everyone thought he was 60 physically and mentally. He was always doing new things like buying and setting up laptops with GPS on his boats. Unfortunately he got cancer and in 3 months was gone. But until he was stricken with cancer, he was extremely active with 3 mile walks, hunting, fishing, ranching, boating, and generally "living life". He expected to go another 20 or 30 years at least and blamed the doctors for killing him with a "wait and see" view on his cancer instead of "cut if out".
btw, with that kind of family history, we invest for the long term in dividend paying companies.

Daniel Longview of OH 8:05AM July 05, 2010

The material in this article is fascinating as new breakthroughs in DNA studies reveal propensities toward longevity. Lifestyle choices, e.g. smoking, weight, exercise, obviously play a big part, too. But it seems to me that one factor is conspicuously missing that the medical community has already acknowledged as important: a person's outlook on life.
I am unable to quote chapter and verse in terms of medical studies, but I have read over the years a number of findings that indicate clearly that people who have a more positive outlook on life, including a good sense of humor, do much better in pulling through cancer recoveries, accidents, deep personal losses, etc. Not only 'positive thinkers', but individuals with deeply rooted religious faith have also been shown to endure hardships and pull through difficulties in later life. There is no shortage of documentation of these in faith communities to this effect.
It seems to me that this dimension should also be mentioned as a key factor in longevity. I hope this is a help!

Tim Peters of MD 12:06AM July 05, 2010

Seriously though, enough with the equivocating crud from these scientists. If it's a health related study it'll just be reversed next year. Publish or perish, blah blah blah. How low does the signal/noise ratio have go before someone drops the call on these fools?

Karl of NY 7:19PM July 04, 2010

Living to 100 is not what it's made out to be. Sure some small percentage of people who do live that long do have a "resonable" life but do they wake up every monring wondering if this is the day death comes? They know their time is limited.
Looking in the mirror at a face that is wizardly and shrived is a constant reminder that you are not only old, you are ancient. That's living?
Sure you can enjoy family reunions and telling your great grand kids how it use to be. But time has passed you by.
Just because you are still breathing doen't mean you are living. That's just the reality of it.

David of AZ 12:53PM July 04, 2010

Why? Some people languish over the thought of how they can increase their lenght of their lives...don't fret over what you may or may not have in the future...common sense dicatates that you may live longer by doing the right things...eat well, exercise, no bad habits etc...but it is no guarantee...instead ask yourself...what can I do TODAY...that can help SOMEONE else enjoy life more...then don't think about it DO IT...then see how you feel by being alive and using time wisely...by taking action

Tibuton of AZ 11:26AM July 04, 2010

I am an american citizen since 1976. All my women family member are older than 97 - 99. I am 77 and I walk 2x 30 minutes a day and before I start walking I do 30 minutes floor gymnastics. I eat tons of fruit, vegetables, and brown rice also salmon from the North Atlantic and Pacific. I feel just terrific in my body. I am a warchild and there was very little food maybe that also helps to stay healthy. I dont know.

christa of FL 1:30PM July 03, 2010

What areas of the world are people who live long most likely to come from.

Rajashaker Gopal 11:08AM July 03, 2010

I wish this article, and others like it, mentioned something like, "If you wonder if you might be one of the methuselahs-to-be, look at your ancestors. Are there a lot who lived to a hundred or more?"
Because if it's a genetic thing, then clearly, the long-living would have long-living ancestors here and there.
The questions would be (a) ARE there any methuselahs in your family history? (b) if so, are they on both sides? (better chance you'll get the gene); and (c) was the longevity gender specific? (hope it's your gender).
Those of us who could say yes to all those questions would have a nicer day. ( I would be one of them!)

Beth Drennan of NC 10:26AM July 03, 2010

It is anecdotal evidence, but I notice all old people have a lot of flatulence -and are cheerful about it. There must be some connection between the Cheerful Flatulence Gene and attaining old age. Why has this obvious connection not been studied?

Jim Gray of KY 6:30AM July 03, 2010