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Gene Offers Long Shot for Aging
AgeVenture News Service 10-16-03
Dr. David J. Demko, PhD Everyone wants to live long. But no one wants to get old. There lies the great American paradox, "having your cake and eating it, too". It doesn't make sense. Never the less, we all want to know the "secret" to living a long, long life. Well, most of us do. Any logical person would admit that the process of aging is controlled by a great variety of factors. But there are those who want to narrow the anti-aging solution down to one key factor. Simple solutions for simple minds. On the other hand, anti-aging organizations like the American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) are searching for the many factors that affect the aging process. And, it appears AFAR is making great progress as evidenced by their recent discovery of a longevity gene.
Here's the latest view from AFAR.
Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY believe they have come closer to answering the question of why some people live in relatively good health to age 100 and beyond. The Institute of Aging Research at Einstein with grant support from the American Federation for Aging Research report the identification of a gene that offers a partial explanation for exceptional longevity.

Einstein Medical found that a modification in the CETP gene is three times more likely to be found in 100 year olds than in the general population. The CETP gene affects good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol. For example, centenarians with the CETP modification showed a decrease in plasma CETP levels and an increase in the amount of HDL cholesterol and the size of the lipoproteins. Translation. Changes in the CETP gene may play a role in protecting the centenarians from the development of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the US and in cultures where lifestyles are similar to the US.

This mutation of the CETP gene is found in both the centenarian group and their children, demonstrating that exceptional longevity may be inherited. The findings are significant because they help explain why some people live to a healthy age of 100 and beyond.
For more information, log on to the American Federation for Aging Research website at: www.Infoaging.org.
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Dr. Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America. Submit comments to: demko@demko.com
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