Aging = Damage > Repair
Aging can be thought of as the time in life when cellular damage is greater than the body can repair. This formula, though, doesn’t have to be set in stone for us.
You can prevent the diseases of aging through optimizing your lifestyle and diet.
Learn how YOUR genes impact healthy aging, and then apply the research-based Lifehacks to optimize your health and prevent the diseases of aging.
- Serotonin 2A receptor variants: psychedelics, brain aging, and Alzheimer’s disease
Learn how new research on brain aging and dementia connects the serotonin 2A receptor with psychedelics, brain aging and Alzheimer’s. - Intermittent Fasting: Benefits from changing Gene Expression
The intermittent fasting concept has gained traction in health circles. Learn more about the importance of when you eat and its effects on gene expression. - TREM2 and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
The TREM2 gene is important in how the brain’s immune system functions. Learn how variants in this gene impact the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. - SIRTfoods diet: Sirtuins and turning on your skinny genes
The SIRTfood diet, made popular by Adele’s recent weight loss, theoretically works by affecting your sirtuin gene expression. Learn about your SIRT genes and you genetic variants. - Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genes
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. You will find supplements specifically promoted for preventing AMD. This article explains age-related macular degeneration, delves into the genetic risks, and then explains which supplements are likely to be protective and which may do more harm than good. - Nitric Oxide Synthase: Heart health, blood pressure, and aging
Nitric Oxide Synthase is an important signaling molecule in the endothelium of our blood vessels. It has roles in the regulation of blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, brain health, and more. Genetic variants in nitric oxide genes are important for a healthy heart. Find out how your genes could play a part in the interactions with cardiovascular disease risk and blood pressure. - Lithium orotate: A natural mineral that affects mood, Alzheimer’s disease, and aging
Researchers found that Texas counties with higher levels of lithium in their groundwater had less of an increase in Alzheimer’s rates compared with counties that had lower levels of lithium. This isn’t a total surprise since previous studies had linked lithium to a decreased risk of dementia, but it is a great confirmation at a large scale population level. - Aspirin, colon cancer, and genetics
For some people with specific genetic variants, aspirin may help to prevent colon cancer. Learn more about what the research says and check your genes. - Does eating meat put you at a higher risk for colon cancer?
People who carry certain genetic variants are at an increased risk for colon cancer depending on their processed meat intake. You can check your genetic data to see if processed meat is likely to increase your colon cancer risk. - Rapamycin, mTOR, and Your Genes
Rapamycin is an antibiotic that is used as an immunosuppressant, an anti-cancer agent, and to prevent blocked arteries. Rapamycin is now the focus of longevity and healthspan-extending research through its inhibition of mTOR. - A Klotho Gene Variant Reduces Alzheimer’s Risk for APOE E4 Carriers
The Klotho protein is involved in many of the diseases of aging. Learn more about this gene and find out how your Klotho variants may impact healthy aging. - Building Up Iron: Check your genetic data for hemochromatosis mutations
A couple of common mutations can cause you to build up iron, leading to iron overload or hemochromatosis. This is one genetic disease where knowledge is really powerful – you can completely prevent hemochromatosis through blood donations. - Alzheimer’s and APOE genotype
The APOE gene variants are tightly linked with the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Find out whether you carry the APOE risk type for Alzheimer’s – and learn what all of us can do via diet and lifestyle to prevent this disease. - Longevity Topic SummaryUtilize our Longevity Topic Summary Reports with your 23andMe or AncestryDNA genetic data to see which articles may be most relevant to you. These summaries are attempting to distill the complex information down into just a few words. Please see the linked articles for details and complete references. (Member’s article)
- Metformin: Longevity research and genetics
A decades-old diabetes drug now holds promise for increasing healthspan. Research shows that metformin may reduce the risk of some of the diseases of aging, thus increasing the number of years someone is healthy. Learn how your genes interact with metformin and whether you are at an increased risk of side effects from it. - Advanced Glycation End Products
One cause of many of the diseases of aging is the buildup of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Your genes interact with your diet – and cooking methods – in the build-up of AGEs. Learn whether this is something that is important for you to focus on. (Member’s article) - Boosting NAD+ to Reverse Aging? Overview of NR and NMN
Explore the research about how nicotinamide riboside (NR) and NMN are being used to reverse aging. Learn about how your genes naturally affect your NAD+ levels, and how this interacts with the aging process. - Longevity and Genetics: FOXO3, CETP, IGF1, and more
There is a lot of research going on right now to determine exactly why and how we age — and why some people naturally live longer. Several genes have been identified as longevity genes, linked to an increase in lifespan. Most importantly, these particular genetic variants show links to a longer ‘healthspan’. Check your genetic data to see if you carry the FOXO3A and IGF1R variants associated with healthy longevity. - Wrinkles and Age Spots
Some people age naturally with beautiful looking skin. Others slather on creams and odd gunk in a futile battle to chase away wrinkles and age spots. What is the difference? Genetics and environmental factors, of course.(Member’s article) - Klotho Gene: Anti-aging superpowers?
The Klotho protein is involved in many of the diseases of aging. Learn more about this gene and find out how your Klotho variants may impact healthy aging. (Member’s article) - Telomere Length: How your genes affect telomeres and aging
Your telomeres are the region at the end of each chromosome that keeps your DNA intact when your cells divide. Telomeres that are too short cause cells to stop dividing. This causes some of the diseases of aging. Genetics plays a role here – along with diet and lifestyle. (Member’s article) - Melatonin: Key to Health and Longevity
More than just a sleep hormone, melatonin is at the heart of many health topics. Your genetic variants play a big role in the production of melatonin. Learn how your lifestyle and diet interact with your melatonin-related genes. - Genetic Mutations that Protect Against Alzheimer’s DiseaseJust like there are genetic variants that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s, there are also variants that protect against this disease. Check your genetic data to get a better picture of your risk factors. (Member’s article)
- Genes Involved in Autophagy:
Just like you need to take out the trash and recycle your plastics and cans, your body also needs to clean up cellular waste and recycle proteins. This process is called autophagy, and it is incredibly important in preventing the diseases of aging. (Member’s article) - Why light at night increases the risk for cancer
The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes light at night as a probable carcinogen. Learn why dim light at night increases your risk of breast cancer — and what you can do to easily reduce this risk. (Member’s article) - Alzheimer’s and Light at Night: Taking action to prevent this disease
Light at night and the link to Alzheimer’s disease. Animal studies show that disrupting circadian rhythm with light at night causes an increase in amyloid plaque accumulation. - Osteoporosis Genes
Osteoporosis is a degenerative bone disease facing many of us as we age. Genetics plays a big role in susceptibility to osteoporosis. The good news here is that knowing where your genetic susceptibility lies can lead you to targeted, personalized solutions for osteoporosis. (Member’s article)