May
5, 2008 - A study of the bones of a 113-year-old man, who has recently
died at 114, reveals his longevity was due to a healthy lifestyle, a
Mediterranean diet, a temperate climate and regular physical activity,
rather than any genetic modifications.
The research team studied the bone mass and
analyzed the genetics of the man as well as four other members of his
family - a 101-year-old brother, two daughters aged 81 and 77, and a
nephew aged 85, all of them born and still living in a small town of the
island of Menorca, Spain.
The team was directed by Universitat Autςnoma de
Barcelona professor Adolfo Dνez Pιrez.
The research findings have been published in the
Journal of Gerontology and reported that the man's bones were in
excellent condition - his bone mass was normal, there were no anomalous
curvatures and he had never sustained a fracture.
The researchers report they were unsuccessful in
finding any mutations in the KLOTHO gene, which is generally related to
a good level of mineral density and therefore healthy bones. Neither did
they find any mutations in the LRP5 gene, which is associated with
longevity. None of the members of the family who participated in the
study presented any mutations in this gene.
The results of the research do not rule out the
possibility that other genetic mutations could positively influence
longevity, according to the researchers.. They do point out , however,
that the excellent health of this family, and of the 113-year-old man in
particular, is probably due to a Mediterranean diet, the temperate
climate of the island, a lack of stress and regular physical activity.
The article emphasizes that until the age of 102,
the man cycled every day and looked after the family orchard.
Editor's Notes:
Professor Pιrez is also researcher at the Municipal
Institute of Medical Research (IMIM) and doctor at Hospital del Mar in
Barcelona. Also participating were IMIM researchers Leonardo Mellibovsky,
Pau Lluch and Xavier Noguιs, and researchers from the Department of
Genetics at the University of Barcelona Mariona Bustamante, Susana
Balcells and Daniel Grinberg.
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May
5, 2008 - A study of the bones of a 113-year-old man, who has recently
died at 114, reveals his longevity was due to a healthy lifestyle, a
Mediterranean diet, a temperate climate and regular physical activity,
rather than any genetic modifications.