\nISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (Online): Although no one can predict how long they will live, factors like geneticsTrusted Source, lifestyleTrusted Source, genderTrusted Source, and ethnicityTrusted Source can impact a person\u2019s longevity.<\/p>\n
Now researchers from \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne in Switzerland have discovered specific gender- and age-dependent genes linked to longevity through a large-scale mouse model.<\/p>\n
This study appears in the journal Science.<\/p>\n
Gender and longevity
\nFor many years, scientists have studied which gender lives the longest \u2014 women or men. Past research shows that women live longer than men in most parts of the world. A recent study also suggests that women who are physically active may live longer regardless of their genes.<\/p>\n
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source estimate life expectancy for women in the United States at about 79 years compared to about 73 years for men.<\/p>\n
Some reasons why men may have a lower life expectancy than women include:
\n\u2022\thigher rate of occupational injury and death
\n\u2022\tless likelyTrusted Source to go to the doctor
\n\u2022\thigher risk for cardiovascular disease
\n\u2022\tincreased Trusted Sourcesuicide riskTrusted Source
\n\u2022\tmore likely to drinkTrusted Source excessive amounts of alcohol<\/p>\n
Although women may live longer than men, research shows women are more susceptible to certain diseases than men, which could ultimately affect their lifespan and quality of life.<\/p>\n
These include strokeTrusted Source, depressionTrusted Source, Alzheimer\u2019s diseaseTrusted Source, and Trusted Sourceautoimmune diseaseTrusted Source like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\n
How genetics affect lifespan<\/p>\n
This study used a large-scale model featuring more than 3,000 genetically-diverse mice. The research team identified specific genetic lociTrusted Source \u2014 the physical location of a specific gene on a chromosomeTrusted Source \u2014 correlated to longevity.<\/p>\n
Additionally, researchers found some of these specific genes were different depending on if the mouse was male or female.<\/p>\n
Additionally, some genes did not affect lifespan until a mouse reached a certain age. This was specifically observed in male mice.<\/p>\n
According to Dr. Maroun Bou Sleiman, Ph.D., a scientist at the Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology at \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne and the lead author of this study, he was not surprised to find distinct genetic loci determined that male and female longevity.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst, this has been shown in other species, notably Drosophila melanogaster,\u201d he told Medical News Today.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecond, male and female mortalities are different \u2014 females live longer than males, (and) males have a wave of early deaths due to stresses associated with (a) dominance hierarchy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThird, the life history of males and females is different as well as their immunity, endocrinology, and metabolism,\u201d Dr. Bou Sleiman continued. \u201cFinally, many of the interventions that extend lifespan in mice do that in a sex-specific manner. There is, therefore, a necessity to systematically assess traits such as longevity in each sex separately.\u201d<\/p>\n
Body weight and early-life nutrition<\/p>\n
Also through the study, Dr. Bou Sleiman and his team discovered some overlap between the longevity genetic loci and specific genes related to body weight and growth. And researchers also found that early-life nutritionTrusted Source quality played an important role in how long a mouse lived.<\/p>\n
\u201cLongevity is one of the most complex phenotypesTrusted Source, as it is the final outcome of very many interdependent processes or components, some of which may have a larger impact (on) one of the sexes. It is, therefore, no surprise that genetic effects on different processes would lead to different longevity outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 Dr. Bou Sleiman
\nConsidering body weight and nutrition are modifiable factors, might this urge discussion between medical professionals and patients on improving a person\u2019s longevity? Dr. Bou Sleiman said no \u2014 the real focus should shift from lifespan to health span, or how long a person lives free from disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is plausible that lifespan and healthspan share some common genetic components, and therefore knowledge about one would inform about the other,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scientific community will have to work hard on understanding the [relationship] between early nutrition, growth, health, and longevity before reaching new guidelines and recommendations for \u2018optimal\u2019 growth,\u201d Dr. Bou Sleiman added. \u201cMaybe one day, we may have personalized recommendations that would be informed by genetics.\u201d<\/p>\n
Making positive changes for longevity<\/p>\n
Medical News Today also spoke with Dr. Scott Kaiser, a geriatrician and Director of Geriatric Cognitive Health for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.<\/p>\n
Dr. Kaiser said while it is a \u201cvery interesting study\u201d that \u201creinforces the notion that longevity is really complicated,\u201d it is important to remember this is still a mouse study.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a long way from a laboratory mouse model to actual real life in people and unlocking the secrets of human longevity,\u201d Dr. Kaiser explained. \u201cBut these are all important steps \u2013 it\u2019s all part of the journey. Digging in to better understand sex differences in animal models across different species is critical work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis kind of work could really yield key biologic insights, but also can be an important step in terms of informing drug discovery, which could ultimately lead to new treatments, which could help people not just live longer, but live better in terms of having more years where they are vibrant, active, engaged, and free of disease.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013 Dr. Kaiser
\nDr. Kaiser agreed there are key connections between nutrition, physical activity, and longevity.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely nutrition has an impact on longevity and may actually impact our longevity genes,\u201d he continued. \u201cThat shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise \u2014 if anything that should just encourage people to focus more on healthy nutrition across their lifespan.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Dr. Kaiser stresses people should not think that it\u2019s too late to make any changes because this study refers to early-life nutrition.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll this substantiates the idea that certainly it\u2019s never too early to be thinking about the things that can help you live well and age well,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s really never too late to do something that could positively impact your quality of life and your lifespan. At the end of the day, the most important thing we can do now is still really focus on the behaviors that we know can positively influence how long we live, like eating a healthy diet (and) exercisingTrusted Source regularly.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPrioritizing healthy relationships because we know loneliness and social isolation are associated with premature mortality.<\/p>\n
Focusing on living a full life and having a strong sense of purpose. SleepingTrusted Source well, not smokingTrusted Source \u2013 these are all things we know can influence how long we live and how well we live.<\/p>\n
People need to focus on that (and) this should encourage people to continue to focus on that,\u201d Dr. Kaiser added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD, Nov 22 (Online): Although no one can predict how long they will live, factors like geneticsTrusted Source, lifestyleTrusted Source, genderTrusted Source, and ethnicityTrusted Source can impact a person\u2019s longevity. Now researchers from \u00c9cole Polytechnique F\u00e9d\u00e9rale de Lausanne in Switzerland have discovered specific gender- and […]<\/p>\n
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