Genes influence healthy aging and the general condition of the body

It is with this concept in mind that the World Health Organization proposed a new approach to understanding healthy aging in 2015. And now, researchers from the University of Adelaide have found out for the first time which genes are behind this ability.

As part of a large-scale analysis published in the Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences, scientists examined data from more than 57,000 participants from British and Canadian biobanks. The results showed that about a quarter of the differences in the level of “inner ability” are explained by genetics, and the rest by lifestyle and the environment.

38 key genetic variants were found in 10 regions of the genome related to the functions of respiration, grip strength and cognitive abilities — parameters that directly affect the quality of aging.

“Our study describes for the first time the genetic architecture of a person’s internal ability,” explains Asmerou Amare, an associate professor at the Adelaide Medical School. “These results provide insight into the biological mechanisms that underlie healthy aging.”

Experts paid special attention to the genes active in the brain, heart, muscles and body tissues. They are related to metabolism, immune function, and neurodegeneration processes. According to the lead author of the work, Melkam Beyene, it is these mechanisms that determine how a person copes with aging at the cellular level.

Professor Renuka Viswanathan, head of the Gerontology Research Centre at the University of Adelaide, adds:
“The results pave the way for personalized strategies to extend active longevity. We are getting closer to predicting and maintaining healthy aging based on individual genetic data.”

This discovery helps shift the focus of gerontology from treating diseases to strengthening body functions.