Longevity, or the human lifespan, is a complex trait that is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. While it’s clear that our lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking, play a significant role in longevity, researchers estimate that about 20-30% of an individual’s lifespan is determined by their genetics. There are several ways in which genes can influence longevity:

Disease predisposition: Some genes can increase or decrease the risk of diseases that affect longevity, such as heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain types of cancer.

Biological aging: Certain genes influence biological processes that affect aging, such as DNA repair, inflammation, stress resistance, and metabolism.

Telomere length: Telomeres, the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, naturally shorten as cells divide. When they become too short, cells can no longer divide effectively, contributing to aging and disease. Variations in genes associated with telomere length can influence how quickly these structures shorten.