There is an age-old question about our longevity: is it something we are born with or something we are nurtured into? The question is, are we destined to follow the path set out by our DNA? Or do our daily choices play a more important role, such as what we eat, how we move, and who we stress? A growing body of research suggests that while genetics can make you more susceptible to certain diseases, adopting healthy habits can reduce your risk and, in some cases, may even change the way your genes are expressed. (There is a growing field of longevity research called epigenetics). A 2016 review found that genetic factors contribute only 20 to 30 percent of the observed variation in the lifespan of identical twins, with the remainder determined by lifestyle and environment.
Most of the characteristics associated with longevity and healthspan are complex, says Dr. Bartek Nogal, principal scientist at InsideTracker, which uses blood tests and DNA analysis to create personalized health plans. He says that how long we live and how healthy we are during our lifetimes is not determined by a single gene, but usually hundreds, thousands, or even millions of genes. Determined by different genetic diversity. Therefore, it is not as simple as “If he has the X gene, he will get Y disease.” And just because you have a family history of a disease doesn't mean it's inherited, says Gary Small, M.D., director of psychiatry at Hackensack Meridian Health, known for his extensive research and publications on brain health. says the doctor.
This conversation gained mainstream attention in 2022 when Chris Hemsworth revealed a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, characterized by two copies of the APOE4 gene. This condition affects 2-3% of the population and significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. After this revelation, Hemsworth shifted his focus to his healthy lifestyle, as discussed on the show. infinite. Research shows that diet, exercise and stress management can influence our health and change the expression of genes associated with disease risk.
Dr. Small has been researching Alzheimer's disease for decades, and while studying Alzheimer's patients in the '90s, he discovered a pair of identical twins with exactly the same genetic makeup. “One had Alzheimer's disease, the other didn't,” he says. “And it was very striking that the lifestyles of the twins who developed the disease were so dramatically different.[one that included smoking, drinking, an unhealthy diet, and lack of sleep]–More than those who were saved. In a recent study through UCLA, Dr. Small's team conducted brain scans of people with significant genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease and found that people with less Alzheimer's disease in their brains maintained healthier lifestyles. I discovered that. This is defined by research as being underweight. index, a higher exercise rate, and following a Mediterranean diet.
In conventional medicine, diseases are often not detected until someone is already experiencing symptoms. The good news is that with apps like InsideTracker, longevity clinics, and full-body scans like his Kim Kardashian-approved Prenuvo, we now have access to more personalized health insights than ever before. is. Preventive testing allows you to detect potential conditions before problems occur. “It’s important to know where you stand,” Nogal says. “Look at some of the negative results and see them as opportunities to improve.” Additionally, if you have conditions such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, this knowledge could be lifesaving. “Taking the right medications can make a huge difference in longevity,” says Dr. Small.
