Longevity is the term used to describe how long a person lives. It is influenced by many factors, such as lifestyle, environment, and genetics. Genetics refers to the inherited traits that are passed down from parents to offspring through DNA. DNA is a molecule that contains the instructions for making proteins, which are the building blocks of life. Some proteins are involved in regulating various aspects of aging, such as metabolism, inflammation, immunity, and cell function. These proteins are encoded by genes, which are segments of DNA that have a specific function. Some genes are associated with longer life spans, while others are associated with shorter life spans.
Longevity genes are genes that are associated with longer life spans¹. There are about 200 genes that are directly related to longevity, and 20 of them are very prominent¹. Some of the most prominent longevity genes are IGF-1, FOXO3A, NF-kB, AMPK, CETP, and SIRTUIN1¹. These genes may help regulate inflammation, immune response, detoxification, metabolism, cell function, and autophagy¹. Autophagy is the process of recycling damaged or unwanted cellular components². However, the role of genetics in longevity is not well understood, and not all individuals with exceptional longevity have the same gene variations². Some common gene variations that may influence longevity are found in the APOE, FOXO3, and CETP genes²³. The CETP gene, for example, is involved in exchanging lipids and has a polymorphism (rs5882) that is linked to longer lifespan, lower dementia risk, and higher HDL levels³.
Longevity genes may also interact with lifestyle choices to affect aging². For example, some studies have shown that calorie restriction can activate the SIRTUIN family of genes, which are involved in DNA repair and stress resistance⁴. Similarly, exercise can activate the AMPK gene, which is involved in energy metabolism and cellular homeostasis⁴. Therefore, adopting a healthy lifestyle may enhance the effects of longevity genes and slow down the aging process.
(1) List of Longevity Genes – A Must Read for Longevity. https://www.inner-light-in.com/2015/05/list-of-longevity-genes/.
(2) Live Long and Proper: Genetic Factors Associated with Increased .... https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/genetic-factors-associated-with-increased-longevity-identified/.
(3) The Genetic Theory of Aging, Concepts, and Evidence - Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-genetic-theory-of-aging-2224222.
(4) To what extent is longevity determined by genetics? - Donuts. https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/to-what-extent-is-longevity-determined-by-genetics/.
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