The Best Kind of Inheritance

Forget about the family photos or summer home. The best kind of inheritance is the one that belongs to children of parents who live to be 100 years old or older. According to a new study published in The Journals of Gerontology, these children inherit survival advantages.

Survival Advantage

So what exactly is a survival advantage? By definition, centenarians exhibit extreme longevity and compression of morbidity. They have what is called a unique genetic signature. Their lucky children, according to the study, inherit this compressed morbidity, as measured by lower rates of age-related pathologies than their peers whose parents do not live to the 100 mark. Regarding the pathologies, the criteria considered was frailty and the measurement used was the Fried Frailty Criteria. The five frailty criteria taken into consideration by this measurement tool are weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness.

Centenarian Genetic Footprint

The scientists who performed this study went in search of “centenarian genetic footprint.” It appears that they found what they were looking for.

At the 100 Year Lifestyle we have long been saying that by making healthy choices for yourself, you also make them for your family. Here’s further proof that we’re right. By supporting your body’s innate intelligence, you are literally creating healthy longevity for yourself and your offspring. That healthy longevity, it turns out, is passed down through lifestyle and a genetic footprint.