DR. MIRKIN: “HOW LONG WILL YOU LIVE?”
Original article written by Dr. Gabe Mirkin
Genes appear to be more important in determining who will live beyond 100, but in people who live into their nineties, how sick you become and how long you live are determined more by what you do than by your genes.
WHO IS LESS LIKELY TO DIE?
Middle-aged people are 63 percent less likely to die within 18 years if they avoid smoking, eat a low-fat and low-sugar diet, exercise regularly, and drink alcohol moderately (American Journal of Public Health, published online August 18, 2011).
Compared to those who followed none of these healthful living habits, those who followed all four were protected for:
- 11.1 years from all-causes of death,
- 14.4 years from malignant cancers,
- 9.9 years from heart attacks, and
- 10.6 years from other causes of death.
Smoking was the strongest risk factor for premature death.
WHO IS LESS LIKELY TO SUFFER POOR HEALTH?
Middle-aged people who never smoked, were not overweight, exercised at least 3.5 hours per week, and ate a healthful diet had an 80 percent decreased risk of chronic diseases.
After being followed for almost eight years, they had:
- 93 percent lower risk of diabetes,
- 81 percent lower risk of heart attacks,
- 50 percent lower risk of strokes, and
- 36 percent lower risk of cancers
If you added in taking no more than two drinks a day, the benefits would have been even greater.
Being overweight was the strongest risk factor for serious disease.
Next came smoking, followed by lack of exercise, and then by a high fat and sugar diet (Archives of Internal Medicine, August 10/24, 2011).
Dr. Pinna says:
There is no question in my mind that Genetics Rule! Not only do your genes produce Longevity, but they also predispose to serious disease. My first question to any patient over thirty: “How old were your parents when they died?” or “If your parents are alive, do they suffer from any sickness?”
Ask yourself these questions and you will have a good idea of what is facing you down the road.
Nonetheless, an unhealthy life style can kill you even if you have good genes! Smoking and Obesity are the two most common killers.
Smoking produces arterial disease of the heart, the brain and the legs. Obesity produces diabetes, and diabetes kills in many different ways.
Unfortunately, you cannot determine your genes. People with African genes are prone to hypertension, diabetes, various cancers and many blood diseases such as Sickle Cell Anemia.
IN SPITE OF ALL THIS, THERE IS STILL HOPE!
Make a small fortune and go and live in Monaco! The average age of death in Monaco is 90 years! Half the population lives older than Ninety!
AND, they don’t exercise, they eat the best rich Italian/French food and drink wine and they love to hang around the beach and watch the Moon come up.
I wonder what Dr. Mirkin has to say about the people of Monaco? Are they…. “The exception that Proves the Rule???” (Or, if you can make a lot of money, you are rewarded with good health?)
