Longevity: more than genetic

It’s not just your genes that will determine how long and how well you live.

The Department of Geriatrics and Rehabilitation at Hadassah University Hospital, Israel, conducted analyses of the impact of medical and social factors on survival and function in men and women aged 70 to 82. Their findings, published in Mechanisms of Ageing and Development (Feb 2005), revealed that those subjects with normal kidney function and good vision lived longer and more independently than other seniors. This held true even when those subjects suffered from degenerative diseases such as diabetes or coronary artery disease. Other factors found to have an impact on length and quality of life included avoiding afternoon naps, engaging in volunteer or paid work, exercising regularly, and maintaining financial security.

The study concluded that social, economic, and functional factors can modify the genetic influence on longevity and that physical and social activities are important tools for lengthening the span of a robust life.

In other words, keep active ---- with friends.