Hum Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Forget all the folklore and movies, the real fountain of youth isn?t a place, but a cluster of genes. Dutch scientists recently announced the discovery of a group of genes that may be the secret to a longer life. These genes actually prevent other ?diseased genes? from acting up and deteriorating the body. The finding is based on an ongoing study of 3,500 Dutch citizens who are at least 90 years old. What?s particularly surprising is that people who possess these genes may live long lives regardless of whether they maintain healthy lifestyles. Eline Slagboom, the researcher leading the study, told The London Times that a long life is ultimately ?strongly genetic and inherited.? "People who live to a great age metabolise fats and glucose differently, their skin ages more slowly and they have lower prevalence of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension,? Slagboom said, according to the Times. ?These factors are all under strong genetic control, so we see the same features in the children of very old people.? Unfortunately, just one in 10,000 people actually live to 100 years old, which may be an indication of how rare it is to have this ideal combination of genes. Yet, the findings in this study may help scientists to produce more efficient anti-aging drugs down the road. Amazingly, as the study notes, all it takes is a ?tiny mutation? in a person?s genes to boost their lifespan significantly. In the meantime, there are other steps you can take to increase your odds of leading a long and healthy life. A couple years ago, one National Geographic writer looked at several communities around the world with the highest amount of people living to 100 or older and found that it may all depend on fundamental things like leaving a little food over at the end of each meal and being part of a close-knit community of friends and family. source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnDewCodeRedFreak Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 In before someone says "overpopulation." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brentaal Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 Suprapopulation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted January 7, 2011 Author Share Posted January 7, 2011 And genes are programmed by ... ? Class ... ? Anyone .... ? That's right. Genes are programmed by the Spirit inhabiting the body. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Growled Member Posted January 7, 2011 Member Share Posted January 7, 2011 If long life is inherited then I'm all set because my family lives a very long time. :) Just think how long you guys have to put up with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted January 7, 2011 Author Share Posted January 7, 2011 ^ Hopefully, a long, long time. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebor Posted January 7, 2011 Share Posted January 7, 2011 I thought the reason why we age was something to do with the way in which certain enzyme attach to something like a part of your dna or gene as it replicates causing a part at the end to be wasted, because of this errors creep in and we age. So if that could be stopped or reversed a large amount of diseases could be prevented/delayed and life expectancy will be increased Obiously I'm no scientist and only paid a passing amount of attention to what they were talking about, but it sounded interesting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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