Poll. Do you think that different people age at different rates?

Part of it is genetic. Part is lifestyle. Smoking, drinking, junk food, inactivity, etc. Part could be environmental -- exposure to hazardous materials. Another part could be life's experiences -- ups and downs, disappointments, stresses and so on. It all piles up.

As the old man said, "If I'd known I was going to live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."

There is a huge genetic component. If you don't start out with good genes, the deck is stacked against you. However, lifestyle can either assist those genes to increase their life span or decrease it...

Too bad we're not born knowing what we need to do in order to improve our odds, and science isn't really doing much with their "It's-good-for-us, It's -bad-for-us" non-stop about-faces. Overall life span seems to be increasing over what it was 100 or 200 years ago, and science is taking the credit for that. I disagree, at least in part, because 200 years ago there were more risks in everyday life than there are now. Anyway, statistics are always given for averages, and there are a lot more humans now than there were 200 years ago, and even then a certain percentage made it into their 100's.

Back to genetics... there is a disease called "Progeria" (Aging Disease) that accelerates the aging process from birth to death (most die in their 20's, many die much sooner). But, lifestyle can add years to a life span if one only knows what is good as opposed to what is not. Habits that kill most don't seem to affect others (smoking, for example).

I think the best indicator for any individual is simply to look at the life spans of blood relatives, consider their lifestyles, then make whatever changes you deem necessary to overcome the odds and beat them at their own game.

Easier said than done, though. I had a great-aunt on my father's side who lived to be 106, and she was an adventurer - she traveled non-stop the world over, barely stopping long enough to exchange gossip and news before moving on again. You'd think that kind of stress would have done her in before she was 50, but apparently she thrived on it. My father died before he reached 60, but his lifestyle was about as destructive as it gets: alcoholic, smoker... pretty much doomed from the get-go. His sister, my aunt, is still going strong at 82. His own parents made it well into their 90's.

I'll be lucky to see 70. I smoked for 40 years, quitting only 2 1/2 years ago. But, we'll see.

R. Donald, I sincerely hope you make it another 20 or 30 years. You are one of the good guys, and we still need as many of those as we can get. I know your wife will agree.

Donald I hope you overcome these afflictions, you are still young enough to. I believe it is mostly in your mind. Genetics plays a role but your genes are highly evolved from ancestors who withstood many trials so it is unlikely you got a bad set. Mental state and lifestyle plays a huge role. I know that your worldview is very far to the left and I believe this plays a negative role in your health. I was once very much influenced by leftist thought and ideals and began to have health problems which have gone away once I saw through it all. Leftist activism is emotionally based and seeks to expose a person to pain and suffering and then corral the natural human reactions of anger. Scientific studies have shown that these sorts of emotions cause the body to go haywire inside. We are all suffering from this because of the media and everything else putting negative thoughts in our heads but some suffer more then others. There is a lot of new research and advice out there on how to train your brain to think in ways which are healthier for your body.

Interesting question R.Donald. I am surprised and happy at each day that I am alive. I was pretty much told nearly six years ago that I was at the end of the line. However, I made it through. I try to use each day to make my self a worthwhile person.

My dad died of Alzheimer's at age 79, which seemed young for as healthy as a life style as he maintained. My mother also lived in a healthy manner and made it to 86. Her father lived to be 97, and maintained a good mind. His mother was nearly 89 when she died and very active until the end.

I am sure hoping it is genetic, and that I have the traits of those who lived long and still had their minds in the family. I feel like I have a lot to do before I am ready to go. Each day is a treasure to me, with the feeling, I am not finished making a difference.

I don't know how long I am going to live, but hoping to make each day worthwhile, while I am still here. If tragedy was a cause of death, I'd been gone long ago.

Attitude seems to make a difference. I have hope and love for myself and others. Appreciation of the joys in life may make the difference.

The best to you R.Donald, in your quest for a longer life. I hope happy enters into the mix of what we may have to experience.

Both of my parents died from cancer at the age of 48. They were farmers, lived the wholesome life and never smoked nor drank. The only explanation we have ever remotely tied to their early deaths was their high consumption of red meat (which my mother always burned to a crisp for fear of bacteria). Myself, I am turning 55, have never had a serious illness, remain very physically active, watch what I eat and my weight, am told I easily pass for someone ten years younger. I had a grandfather who seemed to age slowly and died in his 80's, an aunt who seemed to change little in a physical sense well into old age.

So is it genetics or lifestyle? In my case, the evidence seems to point toward a lucky draw of the cards genetically, but I think lifestyle is a greater influence. But sometimes you can follow all the "rules" and still end up in poor health. I never take my fortune with good health for granted, and am very thankful. I agree with TR-421173 that "it is not how much time you pack into your life, but how much life you can pack into what time you have".

My dad died when I was 17 he was 65. It was the days before we knew what cholesterol can do to your body. Stupid as I was I smoked, drank and certainly ate all the wrong foods. I avoided Doctors not wanting to know how bad things were. At 52 my wife pushed me to full fledged physical. Hep C, hernia, high cholesterol and of course the warning to stop smoking. Six months of therapy (weekly self injections) put the Hep C to sleep for the next 50 years my liver has regenerated. Got the hernia repaired. Stopped smoking been 9 years now. I'm 62 now and never felt better in my life. I believe all my ailments were self inflicted if genetics have anything to with longevity. My Grandmother lived to 99 my Mother to 82.

I hope it is at least partially genetic, but I have no way of telling as I am an adoptee and the only blood relative I know is my son. I'm 55 and he will soon be 36. Both of us are guessed younger most of the time, although that is becoming rarer as my hair gets greyer and his gets thinner.

I eat well, very little meat, as does the son, but my 63-year-old husband has a long tradition of eating poorly and has recently paid the price. Quadruple bypass surgery. One of the good effects from that, however, is that he has now lost the 20 pounds he wanted to shed (although I won't recommend the surgery as a good weight lose tool) and his lifespan has potentially increased. His surgeon told me after the surgery that he was lucky to have been still walking around, much less working a 40 hour a week job, and even luckier that there is virtually no other damage to his heart, particularly as he is a 20-year diabetic. We hope to keep him for a while longer.

I've had three surgeries in my life: tonsillectomy (as a young child), gall bladder removal and hysterectomy. These definitely improved my life. Great diet, very physically active, and no bad habits are additions that I hope will keep me healthy, as I feel just great now. The only thing that troubles me is that I don't have anything to go on as to any other ailments that are genetically based, that could appear later in life. At least my son has me to use as a gauge.

Ron my father was the oldest of 12 kids he buried all his brothers before he died at 63 yrs of age.I had 4 sisters and 2 brorher's the ages they died at are 50.63.62.and one died as a child.I'am 57 and have the the heart problems that run in my family but I have one sister that's two years older than me and hoping she stays healthy,so sure it's our genes. I hope everything goes well for you.

Off-topic question: why isn't this thread appearing in my tracker of those I have commented on? It shows up in the bottom tracker, the supposedly "new" threads my friends have commented on. Is anyone else having this problem?

Genetics and lifestyle can combine for longetivity... or early mortality.

Life's a jigsaw puzzle that is missing a couple pieces; just when we near an answer, we realize that we can't complete the solution.

My beautiful wife was recently mistaken for my daughter -- or, rather, I for her father -- and I'm only five months older than she. We are both in reasonable good health, with routine maintenance medications for things such as high blood pressure. Emotionally, I am the calm... she is the storm, and she takes 37.5 mg of Effexor to help deal with the guilt and oppression lumps upon her by her parents. I have only wisps of grey -- more in my beard than elsewhere -- and she has none. Yet, she carries an air of youth and vibrance that apparently I do not.

Still, I look at people who attended high school with me... and I see old fogeys. Aside from my wife, I can't name a single classmate who acts as if life is as much fun today as it was when we were eighteen. It's almost as if, upon receiving that high school diploma, the reality of mortality landed upon them like a bag of cement... and they're afraid to live.

My 50th birthday is coming up... and my son just said to me, "Well, you're halfway there." To which I replied, "To death?"

Who knows how long we have in this realm? It's important to just make the most of what we've got.

Live long and prosper, Randy.

Stop being so negative. You say that you could work about 20 hours a week. Why don't you try to? The more you concentrate on what ails you, you surely will be supporting more of the pharmaceutical industry; and not helping yourself. Have you ever considered whose mind is controlling you? You need to strengthen and control your own mind. Mind over matter works, the rest doesn't matter.

I have many ills myself, including incurable Pulmonary Fibrosis now for 15 years. I accept that, but it does not control me; nor ever will. So pick yourself up by your boot straps and give yourself your life back. Work on it!

aging is a function of inflammation. the more we thwart our inflammation the slower we age. some of this is hereditary, and most is a result of our life style. Taking up to to 10 fish-oil caps per day and niacin, baby aspirin, 5-6 grams of vitamin C per day, possibly curcurmin... ANYTHING that reduces inflammation, slows aging! but yes, heredity can play a role in our imminent demise. I'm in my mid 50's--- most pick me in my early 40's--- my family (who chose to smoke and drink, and eat whatever) died early--- and looked the part. I don't care if I die at 70--- I just want people to say she looked like 45! the things I do facilitate that--- we all can accomplish this if we choose.

Ok what overall health always, always, always comes down to (ouside the genetic pool) is eating habits and exercise. I study all avenues of health and i consistently see the lifestyles that we place upon ourselves to be directed towards our own convienence. Problem is that for the food industry to provide convienent foods (such as microwavables, fast food, or any other processed good) they have to add and subtract certain ingriedients to prevent the food from rotting. This results in the loss of density of nutrients, vitimins, and minerals replaced with added fats (namely saturated and trans fats) through oils. Everyone knows about amino acids and how they are the building blocks of protein. Your body makes the majority of them by being synthesized through the liver but there are about 10 amino acids called essential amino acids that can only be obtained through diet. These essential amino acids affect a wide range of health, off the top of my head i can say they affect sugar levels in the blood, sexual drive and performance, mood (depression, skitszofrenic,and has been linked to alzeimers), muscle development (through testosterone and natural human growth hormone), skin health, immune responses, sleeping problems(increase in melatonin), as well as regulating fatty acids in the blood which prevents the build up of fat in arteries. There is much more but the jist of it is that we obviously need these to maintain a healthy existence. Now back to the convienent foods that the average american consumes each and everday.....these foods are lacking your amino acids, nutrients, etc. Without them you can only expect what we as americans are increasingly being diagnosed with, all the diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety, learning disorders, sleeping problems. Now the question is what to do to reverse the side affects...change your diet to whole foods dense in proteins, good fats which would be the polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats (the lowest percent fats in processed foods i might add), and good carbs no refined breads or pastas stick to grains, vegtables, and fruits. Do a little research they have great alternatives to some of those foods you just cant say no too. I hope this has been of help and acted as a spark for a new light to explore.

Here are a couple things to keep you thinking:

1) Researchers from University College London (UK) did a study on 3500 subjects regarding depression and split them up by what they ate...mostly whole food vs. mostly processed foods....shockingly there was a 30 percent drop of depression risk in those who ate whole food while those who ate processed foods had a 60 percent increased risk of being depressed.

2) There is a nutritionist out of California that treated medical problems through foods. She is highly regarded to be great to the study of holistic health so of coarse she is one of those people that is booked for at least 6 months in advance. So she told her receptionist that when people call for depression problems to go ahead and schedule an appointment but tell them to eat protein (amino acids) with every meal in the mean time. In doing so around half of those very clients called back to cancel the appoinment because their mood was elevated, less stress, and better sleep which eliminated depression.....

Genetics = no way to escape the science on this, some things we cannot control.

Environment = where you live, and the condition you live in play a factor

Nutritional Intake Value = How healthy is your daily diet?

Weight= we all know that excessive weight causes serious health problems.

Exercise routine= are you a once in a while exerciser, or do you maintain a weekly program of cardio and strength building?

Attitude= LISTENING to your inner voice is key. Lots of people hear it but they aren't listening to it. People who don't accept responsibility for their lives, end up wasting time they cant get back. Live in the moment. Become the most positive person you know. It's a tougher task than most people realize, until you put it to the test.

Circumstance = wrong place, right time? right place, wrong time? Choice of occupations can expose us to many health issues over time. Not appearing until later in life too.

Sometimes just talking about how you're feeling, like this blog you wrote, can help release some frustration resentment, and anger that anyone might feel given the health issues you've faced. Sometimes reading other posts that have words of encouragement, extend best wishes, and offer information along with resources, can open new doors for treatment ideas, alternative methods, etc.

We're given no more than we can bear. It's from our lowest, most difficult times in our lives that we find strength we didn't know we had, and we push through. It's not always pretty or perfect but it still counts, and we need to remember that.

I wish I could type the right words that could ease your physical pain. My heart goes out to you, and others reading this, that suffer daily physical pain.

Yes, Randy I do.. Lifestyle makes a difference and so does genetics. My genetics suck. =(

I don't know about genetic, but I guess lifestyle can affect it. Stress, anyways. I know 2 people, 55 and 56 years old, who look younger than this one woman who is, like 52-53 years old. She actually looks like she is in her sixties. Meanwhile, I knew someone who was 45 and he looked like he was in his late 30's.

Hell, I saw a picture of an old friend on facebook. Same age as me, 24, and she looked like she was in her thirties.

Eat right. Exercise. Die anyway.

Malnutrition can make a 30-year-old person looks 60. However, despite regular healty diet, someone's occupation, worries, and daily activities (active vs sedentary) may impact his/her health. One's environment as well may play a role in their early body decline, such as the climate, the air quality (urban vs rural) Food quality (canned vs farm food), his/her social standard and financial status; survival means, personal responsibities, life struggle,
and as well genetic characteristics, etc , all those are factors that affect people aging process.

Without a doubt...

From the time you are forming until you die you are constantly under attack from bacteria, oxygen, the atmosphere, gravity, republicans, pollution, preservatives, salt, etc.

Everything you do from breathing to drinking water to how hard you poop is going to affect those cells and the rest of your body for the rest of your life. If you work outside you are getting some exercise (usually) but also being bombarded with radiation and pollution. If you work inside you are just bombarded by different environmental poisons like asbestos, paints, carpet fibers, etc.

The quality and length of your life are strongly affected not just by raw genetics but access to vital nutrients when forming, growing, and maintaining your cellular health and the degree of damage that gets done on a daily, hourly or continuous basis.

My grandmother lived to be 92. She had a pacemaker implant back in the 80's. So not only do all of the above affect longevity but also a quick perseptive physician. Even tho she wasn't happy about being more than 82. As she said I can't hear good, see good or walk good so why am I still here? and this utterance at 82 birthday party.

Well my diet certainly is not the best and I grew up on good ole country southern cooking( that means we fried everything) and I smoked for years. Still do just not cigs lol. But all my family ( both my dad's and my mom's side) have histories of heart problems, high blood pressure and other things however 90% of them lived into their late 80's or early 90's. So who knows. After coming all too close to dying from an illness all I want to do is live each day like it might be my last for of course it could be. I make sure I speak to my mom, my daughter and my grandaughter at least once every day and I make sure I say I love you. I never let my partner leave the house without a hug and a kiss if I am around and I send her at least one text at work to say it again. I have learned to appreciate the small things that make my life rich and to never take for granted that I have time to say all the things that should be said to my loved ones. I try to laugh as often as possible and it sure helps with the stress of everyday irritations. So when I go I hope to leave good memories for those left behind. My love is 18 years younger than me and all things being equal I will go first but I will go knowing that she knows that she was loved, respected and appreciated as will every other member of my family. And I think that is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.