What is Longevity? Dr. Domenico Pratico', MD, FCPP
- Dr. Domenico Pratico
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
What is longevity? In a nutshell human longevity can be defined as the ability to live beyond the average one’s life expectancy.
However, longevity should not be confused with “lifespan”, the number of years we live, it should be intended more like the “health span” since it refers to a longer than average life but with an emphasis on maintaining both physical and mental well-being.
In recent years, longevity has become also a field of medicine and biology which focuses on studying how to live a longer and a healthier life. In fact, the main goal of this branch of biomedicine is not only to prolong the lifespan, but also ensure we live an active, healthy, and productive life as we age.
To this end, I would like to remind you of a broad definition that Nobel prize winner Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini once gave about longevity: “longevity is not adding years to life, but life to the years!”. It amazes me the thought of how valid and true this sentence is still today!
Longevity is a dynamic condition. It can be influenced in a significant manner, positively and negatively, by various factors which can not only determine how long we will live but most importantly how healthy we will live.
Today we know of three major factors influencing longevity.
1. Genes
Longevity is influenced by the genes, the material that each of us inherit from our parents. Several studies have shown that up to about 25% of differences in longevity among people are influenced by the genetic materials we are made of. This material is often referred to as the genetic code of our life. Most of these genes, which can come in different variants (shades) are genes responsible for housekeeping and also protecting the cell against the hallmarks of aging. They are responsible for maintaining the telomeres (end part of chromosomes), repairing DNA, and protecting the cell against oxidative stress (production of reactive oxygen species by mitochondria).
2. Environment
For a very long time we have known that the environment plays a crucial role in longevity. This is what we refer also as the “postal code” of longevity. It was more than 2000 years ago that Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, dare to say that diseases had natural causes rather than being divine punishments, and that they originated from external environmental factors such as air, water, and the place where we live. It encompasses a wide range of influences such as chemical, biological and physical exposures. Regarding chemicals: air pollutants, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Ultra-violet radiation, noise, and heat are some of the most common components of the physical factors group. The importance of the environment is also supported by the fact that there are geographic areas in the world called Blue Zones, where people live a longer and healthier life. Among them Okinawa (Japan), Ikaria (Greece), Sardinia (Italy), Loma Linda (California).
3. Lifestyle
Along with the genetic and environmental factors, we can also significantly influence our health and longevity with our lifestyle choices.
Physical activity. Incorporation a 15–20-minute daily walk: Whether it's an after-dinner stroll, a morning walk, volunteering to walk a shelter dog, or opting for stairs over escalators, we all should make physical activity a daily habit.
Diet. We must opt for whole, unprocessed foods: Eliminate packaged and processed foods from our diet. Prioritize a balanced intake of fresh vegetables and fruits while reducing fat and sugar consumption.
Management of stress. Like for general brain health, learning and applying techniques like mindfulness and yoga with the goal to reduce anxiety and depression can have positive effect also on general well-being.
Which, genetics vs. postal code, is likely the most impactful on our longevity?
One might be surprised to learn that recent studies point to the more significant impact of our postal code and associated lifestyle factors versus the genetic code.
In summary, we must always keep in mind that while the genetic code is a primary factor for a healthy long life, environmental influences are potentially even more important. In this sense the “genetic we are born with” should never lead us into the “give up” but always into the “act on” state of mind.
And please remember that it is never too early or never too late to fully adopt the strategies I described regarding the postal code (environment and lifestyle choices) and fully enjoy the benefits for the brain and the body, and by doing so we will then add life to our years and not years to our life!
If you are interested in reading more of my blogs:
Check out my recent blog: The 4 Cardinal Points of Behavior Domenico Pratico', MD, FCPP
Domenico Praticò, MD, holds the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research and serves as a Professor at the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, as well as a Professor of Neural Sciences at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
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