Longevity, or the ability to live a long and healthy life, is one of those subjects that has long fascinated scientists, philosophers, and the general public. Advances in healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation have greatly increased average lifespans, but genetics still plays a significant role in determining why some people live much longer than others. This article deals with the complicated interaction of genetic factors, lifestyle, and the environment on longevity, and advances cutting-edge research and its implications.

Human life span is determined by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Since the 1900s, environmental improvements have dramatically extended life expectancy. With clean water, better homes, reduced exposure to infectious diseases, and advanced medical care, many factors have come into play to increase it. Most importantly, public health initiatives have reduced infant mortality rates, improved child survival, and decreased the prevalence of communicable diseases.

Nowadays, life expectancy is at 80 years of age in the United States. Many people surpass that and reach the age of 90, 100, or more. Long-lived individuals include nonagenarians, centenarians, semi-supercentenarians, aged 105–109, and supercentenarians, who live more than 110 years of age. Such people give great clues on what can influence longevity.

Role of DNA Repair and Cellular Maintenance in Longevity

Genetics is undeniably a crucial factor in determining lifespan, but it is far from the sole determinant. Longevity is a complex trait influenced by multiple genes, each exerting a small but significant effect. Research has identified specific genes, such as APOE and FOXO3A, as key contributors to longevity. These genes play critical roles in cardiovascular health and cellular maintenance, both of which are essential for a long life.

Supercentenarians live many decades more than the average population and often have gene variants that promote longevity. Such variants are implicated in:

• DNA repair
• Telomere maintenance, preserving the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes
• Cellular protection from free radical damage

These genetic traits contribute to the body's ability to fight off age-related diseases, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, for example. However, more important for longevity are genes influencing health in later years as a consequence of the effect of lifestyle and environmental contributions on health outcomes in the first several decades of life.

Are there Population-Specific Genetic Factors?

Interestingly, genetic determinants of longevity may differ markedly between populations. Studies indicate that some genes responsible for longevity may even be population-specific and depend upon historical, geographical, or cultural factors. This brings home the point of the necessity of genetic diversity in any longevity research and calls attention to the global nature with which the genetic basis of aging should be approached.

While genetics provides the foundation for longevity, environmental and lifestyle factors are equally important in determining how long and how well a person lives. For the first 70–80 years of life, lifestyle choices—such as diet, exercise, and avoiding harmful behaviors like smoking—play a stronger role in determining health outcomes than genetic predisposition.

For example, members of the Seventh-Day Adventist community in the United States, who adhere to a lifestyle emphasizing vegetarianism, regular exercise, and abstinence from smoking and alcohol, have an average lifespan of 88 years—nearly eight years longer than the national average. This demonstrates the profound impact of lifestyle on longevity, even among those without a genetic predisposition for long life.

Family Ties and Exceptional Longevity

Familial studies are among the most compelling evidence for the role of genetics in longevity. Exceptional longevity is defined as living 20–30 years beyond the average lifespan, and it is known to run in families. It has been found that individuals with long-lived parents or grandparents are more likely to inherit genetic traits that either confer resistance to age-related diseases or enhance overall health.

Lifestyle Choices That Enhance Genetic Potential

Even in the context of a genetic predisposition toward longevity, lifestyle choices can either build upon or detract from the chances of reaching advanced ages. The genes related to longevity often act in concert with health-promoting behaviors such as:

- Balanced diet rich in whole foods and low in processed ingredients

- Regular physical activity

- Effective management of stress

- Avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption

These habits not only add years to one's life but also improve quality of life by reducing the risk of chronic diseases and maintaining physical and cognitive function well into old age.

With research on longevity continuing, scientists are increasingly concentrating on understanding gene-environment interactions that determine aging. Whole-genome sequencing studies of centenarians and supercentenarians have already yielded much information on genetic variants that promote long life. More genes and pathways contributing to longevity may eventually be found, setting the stage for medical interventions to extend healthy lifespan.

Advances in personalized medicine may also allow individuals to adjust lifestyle choices according to their genetic disposition to longevity. For example, some people may opt for diets that are heart-friendly and certain exercise routines in order to battle genetic tendencies toward heart problems.

Whether longevity is mainly genetically determined is the question that cannot be answered lightly. While genetics may give the script for a long life, lifestyle and environmental factors equally make their mark in the health outcome and longevity. Exceptional longevity is usually the case of a fine balance of inherited traits and healthy habits.

Finally, although we cannot alter our genes, we have control over most of the variables that decide how long and how well we live. We can all make conscious choices to focus on health to take steps toward a longer, more fulfilling life.

Estimates of the Heritability of Human Longevity Are Substantially Inflated due to Assortative Mating. Genetics. 2018.

As the number of people reporting pancreatic issues after taking the weight loss and diabetic jabs increases, health officials have launched an investigative study to figure out the unexpected side-effects of the drug.

In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Genomics England are asking anyone who was using these shots and ended up in the hospital with a sudden pancreas problem called acute pancreatitis to get in touch. Hundreds of people have reported pancreas issues after taking drugs like Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy, but doctors haven't yet proven that the shots caused these problems.

What Is The Goal Of This Study?

The study is part of the MHRA's Yellow Card scheme. This system lets anyone report a problem with a medicine, vaccine, or medical device, which helps doctors find safety issues early. People aged 18 and older who had a serious reaction to these weight loss shots (which are also used for type 2 diabetes) should report it on the Yellow Card website.

They'll then be asked if they want to join the study. This study will check if some people's genes make them more likely to get acute pancreatitis when taking these medicines. Patients will give more information and a saliva sample, hoping to reduce these side effects in the future.

What has The Study Found So Far?

As of May 13 this year, 10 deaths from pancreatitis in people using weight loss drugs were reported to the Yellow Card website, though other health factors might have been involved. It's tough to track exact user numbers since many buy these drugs online without a prescription. While health officials suggest these shots can aid obesity efforts, they caution that they're not a "magic solution" and often cause side effects like nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. The MHRA also warned that Mounjaro could reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills for some users.

What Is Pancreatitis: Acute & Chronic?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, and this can either be acute or chronic. Finding out whether one has pancreatitis as well as getting it under control is very important as if left unchecked, it can lead to long-term damage and other complications.

As you may know, our pancreas makes important digestive enzymes as well as insulin, which helps us break down glucose components and transform it into energy. Pancreatitis happens when the pancreas enzymes damage the pancreatic tissue itself.

The key difference between acute and chronic pancreatitis is that they are actually different conditions. According to a 2021 study published in the Cureus journal,

Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden, short-term inflammation of the pancreas. When someone has acute pancreatitis, they usually feel severe pain in the upper part of their belly, either in the middle or on the right side. This type of pancreatitis often comes on quickly and, with proper treatment, can resolve. Here are the symptoms, causes and treatment options, according to National Health Services UK.

Symptoms

Acute pancreatitis is a sudden, short-term swelling of your pancreas. The most common signs are severe, sudden pain in the middle of your stomach. You might also feel or be sick, and have diarrhea.

Causes

Acute pancreatitis happens when digestive chemicals inside your pancreas start to attack the organ itself. It's most often linked to two main things: gallstones, which cause about half of all cases, and drinking alcohol, which is behind about a quarter of cases. You can lower your risk by drinking less alcohol and making diet changes to prevent gallstones

Treatment

Treatment for acute pancreatitis focuses on supporting your body while the swelling goes down. You'll usually need to stay in the hospital for fluids through a vein, pain relief, food support, and oxygen. Most people get better within a week and can leave the hospital in 5 to 10 days, though severe cases might take longer due to complications.

Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a long-lasting inflammation of the pancreas that often gets worse over time. Unlike acute pancreatitis, the symptoms of chronic pancreatitis can be much broader. People might have ongoing belly pain, but they can also show signs that their pancreas isn't working properly. This can lead to problems with digestion and even diabetes.

Symptoms

Chronic pancreatitis means your pancreas has long-lasting swelling. The main symptom is repeated, severe stomach pain, usually in the middle or left side, that can spread to your back. This pain is often described as burning or shooting and can last for hours or days, sometimes without a clear trigger.

As the condition worsens, these painful episodes might happen more often and be more severe. Eventually, you might feel a constant, dull pain in your belly even between bad episodes, especially if you keep drinking alcohol.

Causes

The most common reason for chronic pancreatitis is drinking too much alcohol for many years. This can cause repeated attacks of sudden pancreatitis, leading to more and more damage. In children, cystic fibrosis is the most common cause. Other less common causes include smoking, your immune system attacking the pancreas, genetic problems, injury, gallstones blocking ducts, or radiation. Sometimes, no cause is found.

Treatment

The damage to your pancreas from chronic pancreatitis is permanent, but treatment can help manage the condition and symptoms. Doctors usually advise stopping alcohol and smoking. You'll also get medicine to relieve pain. In some cases of severe pain, surgery might be an option to help control the condition and improve your quality of life.

All doctors agree on one thing; walking is great for your health. It is an often overlooked aspect of exercising, but even a quick 10-minute brisk walk can do wonders! Walking is an assessable exercise that can easily fit into anyone's daily routine through actions like walking to your place of work or walking during break etc. It helps your heart and might even lower your risk of dementia. The NHS (National Health Service) in the UK constantly reminds us how beneficial walking is, proving it's a powerful way to stay healthy without needing fancy equipment or intense workouts.

Many people aim for 10,000 steps a day, this usually means walking about five to eight kilometers, taking one to two hours. But where did this number come from? Harvard Health explains that the 10,000-step goal actually became popular because of an old advertising trick. It was tied to the 1964 Olympics and a Japanese step counter called "Manpo-kei," which means "10,000-step meter." The company cleverly used the fact that the Japanese symbol for "ten thousand" looks a bit like a person walking.

How Many Steps Do You Really Need In A Day to Stay Healthy?

Scientists have been trying to find the perfect number of steps. A 2022 study published in the JAMA Network found that walking anywhere from 3,800 to 9,800 steps daily could lower your risk of dementia. This study suggested that just under 10,000 steps, especially taken at a fast pace (around 112 steps per minute), might be ideal for avoiding dementia.

But you don't have to hit 10,000 steps to benefit! A large review of many studies showed that as few as 2,337 steps a day could reduce your risk of dying from heart problems. And walking 3,867 steps could lower your risk of death from any cause. For every extra 1,000 steps you take, your risk of dying drops by 15%.

Ideal Step Count As You Age

The ideal number of steps can change based on your age. If you're under 60, studies suggest aiming for 7,000 to 13,000 steps. For those 60 and older, the biggest health benefits were seen when walking between 6,000 to 10,000 steps. Other research showed that walking more than 2,200 steps (about one mile) was linked to living longer and having less heart disease. For women over 60, walking 6,000 to 7,500 steps lowered their risk of death. For younger people, the benefits didn't really increase much beyond 8,000 to 10,000 steps.

Why Walk Faster May Be More Beneficial?

It's not just about how many steps you take; how fast you walk is also important. A recent study found that walking at a brisk pace could lower your risk of heart rhythm problems. The researchers said a slow pace was under 3 mph, an average pace was 3-4 mph, and a fast pace was over 4 mph. Even when considering other factors, walking at an average or fast pace was linked to a 35% to 43% lower risk of irregular heartbeats compared to walking slowly. So, walking faster can make your heart even healthier.

A recent study presented at the American Society for Microbiology's annual meeting (ASM Microbe 2025) in Los Angeles has uncovered a surprising link between airborne fungal spores and short-term spikes in flu and COVID-19 cases. The research, conducted by scientists from Lynn University in Florida, suggests that monitoring outdoor levels of fungal spores could provide an early warning system for potential outbreaks.

Not Just Human Contact: Could Fungi Be the Missing Link in Outbreak Prediction?

Traditionally, respiratory illnesses like flu and COVID-19 have been associated mainly with human-to-human transmission. But this new research introduces an environmental twist: airborne fungal spores — microscopic particles released by fungi into the air — may play a significant role in triggering infection surges.

Researchers found that when levels of fungal spores in the outdoor air increased, there was a corresponding rise in COVID-19 and flu infections in the days that followed. What’s more, the relationship was strong enough that statistical and machine learning models could predict these spikes with a high degree of accuracy.

Also Read: COVID Vaccines Labels To Be Revised To Indicate Rare Heart Side Effect, Says FDA

Interestingly, the same predictive relationship did not hold true for pollen, another common airborne particle. This indicates that fungal spores may have a more specific and direct impact on respiratory health than previously assumed.

What Did Puerto Rico's Tropical Data Reveal About Outbreaks?

The research team focused their study on two major health regions in Puerto Rico — San Juan and Caguas — collecting data from 2022 to 2024. They tracked the daily incidence of flu and COVID-19 diagnoses alongside environmental measurements of fungal spores and pollen.

Using both traditional statistical analysis and machine learning models, they examined whether spikes in fungal spore concentrations could predict increases in infections within the same week or the following week — a concept known as a lag effect. The results were striking: in many instances, elevated levels of fungal spores were followed by noticeable jumps in flu and COVID-19 cases.

Public Health Planning Just Got Smarter With This Predictive Tool

“This research gives us a new lens through which to view respiratory virus outbreaks,” said Felix E. Rivera-Mariani, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Lynn University and lead researcher on the study. “By monitoring environmental data like fungal spores, we can potentially issue earlier warnings and protect high-risk communities.”

Rivera-Mariani emphasized that this approach could be especially useful in the fall — a season that already sees increased viral transmission — when fungal spore levels are often high due to decaying plant matter and damp conditions.

Also Read: Childhood Trauma Increases The Risk Of Poor Academic Performance - Even If It Is Just One Instance

He added that this discovery highlights a broader message: “Environmental triggers, not just interpersonal contact, may influence how and when people get sick. That insight could help shape future public health responses and inform protective guidelines, particularly in regions with high fungal activity.”

Could This Fungal Research Benefit You?

The findings may be especially valuable for protecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, individuals with asthma, or people with allergic rhinitis. These groups are not only more prone to respiratory infections but may also be more sensitive to environmental irritants like fungal spores.

By incorporating airborne fungal spore monitoring into existing public health surveillance systems, authorities could issue timely alerts and recommendations — including when to wear masks, avoid outdoor exposure, or ramp up testing.

Also Read: As Mounjaro Kwikpen Gets Greenlight In India: How Can Once-Weekly Shot Help Manage Diabetes And Lose Weight?

While more research is needed to fully understand the biological mechanism behind this connection, the evidence presented marks a promising step toward using environmental data to predict — and possibly prevent — future outbreaks.