When it comes to longevity, does it matter more whether you have “good genes” or “good habits?” While the factors that influence how long we live are complex and varied, the combination of the genetics you’re born with and the choices you make play a key role in your overall lifespan.
Who lives longer?
It’s no surprise that people who live longer often avoid or delay major age-related diseases. To increase your chances of adding more healthy years, focus on these eight key healthy behaviors:
- Participating in physical activity
- Getting restorative sleep
- Eating a balanced diet
- Managing stress
- Maintaining strong social connections
- Avoiding smoking
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Avoiding opioid use
These behaviors can help delay and prevent disease, and also contribute to overall well-being.
What about genetics?
Not surprisingly, your genes play an important role in longevity. Avoiding age-related diseases is a key factor in longevity, so genetic variants that protect against disease (or at least don’t increase your risk) are often associated with longer lifespan.
The role of APOE in longevity
One of the most clear and consistent genetic links with longevity is in the APOE gene. While the well known e4 variant increases the risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the e2 variant of this gene is associated with a longer lifespan.
Other longevity genes
Several studies have found other genes connected to longevity, including the FOXO3 gene, which is often seen in studies of people who live very long lives. However, many of these studies were done with small groups or focused only on people of European ancestry. It’s still unclear how genetics could be used to directly predict who might live longer. While predicting exact lifespan is complex, understanding your genetics can help you take proactive steps toward a healthier life.
Combining genetics and lifestyle
While genetics can influence your predisposition to certain diseases, combining genetic and lifestyle information can provide a fuller picture of disease risk. It can also help motivate and focus your efforts to prevent those diseases.
For example, in the 23andMe+ Premium Health TracksSM feature, you can see how a healthy lifestyle can reduce your chances of developing a health condition even if you have an increased genetic predisposition for that condition.
Key takeaways on longevity
- While having “good genes” may give you some advantages, the healthy habits you adopt play a significant role in determining how long and how well you live.
- Understanding your genetic predispositions can help you take proactive steps to prevent disease, and that’s the key to living more healthy years.
*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva to report and interpret genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment.
The Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of the e4 variant in the APOE gene. It describes if a person has a variant associated with an increased risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The e4 variant included in this report is found and has been studied in many ethnicities. Detailed risk estimates have been studied the most in people of European descent.
