Longevity: A Family Comparison

Longevity:  A Family Comparison (by Dewayne Allday)

Our looks, cultures, religions (or non-religion), sex, locations, opinions and politics may vary, but one thing we certainly share is death.  Our absolute commonality; we all die.  How and when is the only question.

That said, a profound philosophical question is “When will that day come?”  That is, “barring societal collapse, mutual nuclear destruction, car wreck, plane wreck, chain smoking or a life filled with excessive and risky debauchery, what are the odds that we will live into our 90s (nonagenarians) or into our 100s (centenarians)?”  

There are reasons we may not want to know.  Likewise, there are valid reasons to find out.  Rest assured, the probability that life insurance companies have investigated the DNA associated with longevity is high, especially for larger policies that require blood tests.  Imagine my surprise some years ago when I was quoted for a policy and began paying the quoted monthly premiums before the blood work was done.  After the results came back and the underwriting complete, they were so excited about keeping my monthly premium going that they doubled my coverage for the same price.  The insurance agent told me that [perhaps based on my blood test?] I had obtained the “super preferred rate,” a feat that had happened only once in his decade long career.  

There are other reasons to know if we have ten years left, twenty years, thirty years or forty.  If you only have ten, perhaps spending money on long-term investments would be a waste unless specifically investing for our children’s or spouse’s future life without us.  Maybe spending money, traveling the world and/or more quality time with family become top priorities.

However, if we are approaching retirement age (62, 65 or 67) and the DNA points to a life into the 90s, or touching either side of 100, spending and other habits might change.  Working into the 70s, the 80s and a career change might be required.  Paying the house mortgage off becomes crucial.  Passive income even more important.  Longer term investments come into play.  

In my case, I am interested in creating my own garden of Eden. That is, a long-term permaculture garden filled with edible perennials.  I am also interested in planting plants, shrubs and trees that produce the phytochemicals used for broad spectrum antibiotics, antivirals or other medicinal or useful plants.  If I have only ten years left, do I waste time planting black walnut trees or should I focus only on apple trees, blueberry bushes and other quick producing shrubs, trees or plants?  Perhaps annuals?  If I have twenty or forty years left, black walnuts, pecan trees and other long term nut trees become a worthy investment of time and money.  

We may not want to know, and the mystery surrounding death might be romantic to an idealist.  But knowing might be better.  Did you start a second family later in life?  If you are 70, should you set aside extra money for your wife and new children to help them in your absence?

Now you can.  Or at least, narrow it down to the correct decade.  Studies around the world have been completed and probably are still ongoing to study people  who have lived into their 90s and 100s.  Longevity is fascinating to scientists.  Researchers all around the world are isolating the SNPs that are present in  older people who are blessed with longevity.  They have noticed those with longer telomeres at the end of the chromosomes to protect against the breakdown (aging and disease) of DNA.

Here are some of the studies from around the world.  But first a brief description of the terminology.

SNPs is the acronym for "single nucleotide polymorphisms" (pronounced "snips").  The human body is made of millions of SNPs and each SNP represents a single building block of DNA.  Each SNP (building block of DNA) pairs up via a code of four chemical bases:  cytosine (C), thymine (T), adenine (A) and guanine (G).  Each one of these pairs represents your "uniqueness" when compared to other people.  As shown later in the article, these pairs might be C:C or C:G or T:T, etc.  Humans are made up of 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 if separated).  Chromosomes are the paired threadlike structure that holds the DNA along with its pairs of SNPs together.  These 23 pairs include the one XY or XX pair that determine an individual's sex. [1] Each SNP pair within each chromosome has a unique name assigned to it and these unique names at each location are mentioned throughout the rest of the report (i.e. "rs2542052" or "rs2802292," etc.).  Groups of SNPs bundled together are sometimes given unique names as well.  Think of the phrase "the forest for the trees."  The forest might be the entire complex genome whereas looking at the trees, plants, dirt, etc. are subcategories.  The FOXO3 name was given to a certain group of SNPs located on the chromosome 6 pairing (of 23).  This FOX03 group of SNPs has a known association with longevity (see below study). [2]

The FOXO3A genotype is “strongly associated with human longevity.”   The FOX03A locus relates to extreme longevity in one centenarian study in southern Italy.   The FOX03A genotype was also connected to German centenarians. [3]

Rs2542052:  At least one study(s) shows that C:C has “better odds to live to 100.” [4]

Rs2802292:  “A study of 5 genes in 3,741 Japanese men, some of whom lived significantly longer than average (centarians).”  The study concluded that the FOXO3 gene includes several SNPs linked to longevity, including rs2802292, rs2764264 and rs13217795. The results show that at the rs2802292 location, men with G:G has “1.5x~2.7x more likely to live to 100.”  G:T has “Slightly increased lifespan.”  T:T is “Less likely to live to 100. [5]

Rs2764264:  In the above study of 3,741 Japanese men, those with C:C “greater odds of living to 95.”  Longevity of other designations were not determined. [6]

Rs13217795:  There were no study participants with the rs13217795, rs2764264, rs2802292 and rs13220810 SNPs associated with type 2 diabetes risks when compared to controls.  In addition, those with rs13217795, rs2764264 and rs2802292  with lower blood glucose levels (in women).   However, in another study of rs13217795 found that rs1800795 was seen in a study of around 100 nonagenarians (90 to 99 year old age bracket) and this location is complicated by increased risks of other various diseases (not type 2 diabetes). [7]

Rs34516635:  In a study of female centenarians, the A allele was found in higher frequencies than the G Allele.  A:A and A:G both “possibly increased longevity for Ashkenazi Jewish women.”  For females, this study claims to be of significance.  For males, there was no association found.[8]

Rs2802288:  In a 23andMe blog, longevity was associated with allele A at location rs2802288.  Rs2802292 and rs2802288 are located close to one another and both seem to have a similar effect.  Reportedly, those with the A:A designation have “increased the odds of living to 100 by 1.5x.” [9]

Rs5882:  A study showed significantly longer lifespans for Ashkenazi Jews with the G allele. Those with G:G had longer lifespans, lower risk of dementia and lower risk of Alzheimer’s.  Those with A:G had lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's and also higher good cholesterol. [10]

Rs3758391:  A study “on over 1,000 Finnish adults over the age of 85” showed that the study participants had improved cognition when carrying the T alleles.  T:T was associated with increased longevity and less mental decline whereas the C:T was still associated with less mental decline.  C:C was at the bottom of the list. [11]

Rs1061170:  A longevity study of 491 nonagenarians over a period of four years determined that both T:T alleles at rs1061170 was affiliated with a “lower risk for AMD” and “generally longer live than (C) allele carriers.”  In other nonagenarians, the C:T designation increased the risk of AMD by 2.5x and the C:C designation increased the risk by 5.9x. [12]

Rs6873545 or rs4590183:  Both tag the d3-GHR allele and are associated with longevity in males.  C:C associated with longer longevity at rs6873545 and rs4590183. [13]

Figure 1 is a comparison of my own family.   I took the 23andMe autosomal test over a decade ago.  The test pointed to a segment of Ashkenazi DNA on chromosome 11 that was affiliated with Jewish centenarians.  Prior to that time, I had no idea that I had even an ounce of Jewish DNA, much less Ashkenazi DNA associated with longevity.  This one solitary segment of DNA enabled me to reach out to some Jewish relatives with outstanding accomplishments and character.  It began my journey into learning of another culture and the longevity associated with it.  During this process, I’ve made some lifelong friends.

You can print out and use Figure 1 to find out your own longevity alleles.  Compared to my still living mother (96+) and her deceased brother (93), you can investigate possible longevity in your own family.  Whereas the studies of these SNPs point to longevity, common sense tells us that environmental factors, such as chain or recessive smoking, tobacco use, car wrecks, unhealthy lifestyles, natural disasters and so many other environmental and other situations can drastically reduce or increase the years of your life.  Not having the correct SNPs or SNP alleles should not discourage but encourage better quality life, food, drink and exercise.  Having the correct markers should encourage good decisions and long-term planning, despite the risks of early morbidity or unnatural mortality.   Liability release:   I am not responsible for any financial decisions (or lack thereof) made (or not made) based on anything herein or without.  Any decision made belongs to the individual making it. Use best judgment on any financial or other decisions.

Now the fun part.  Comparing your longevity to the heavy hitters in my family.

Figure 1 – Longevity SNPs and Associated Allele Positions
SNP Position	(on) Chromosome	Indicates Longevity	Me (53)	Mom  (96+)	Uncle (93)	Son	You
rs2542052	11	C:C	C:C	C:C	C:C	C:C
rs2802292	6	G:G	G:T	G:T	T:T	G:T
rs2764264	6	C:C	C:T	C:T	T:T	C:T
rs13217795	6	present	C:T	C:T	T:T	C:T
rs34516635	15	A:A / A:G	G:G	G:G	G:G	G:G
rs2802288	6	A:A	A:G	A:G	G:G	A:G
rs5882	16	G:G / A:G	A:G	A:G	A:G	A:A
rs3758391	10	T:T / C:T	?	?	?	?
rs1061170	11	T:T	T:T	T:T	C:T	C:T
rs6873545 or rs4590183	5	C:C	C:T	T:T	T:T	C:T
The raw genotyping data search tool provided by 23andMe.com was used to search for the genes and markers included in this schedule. As per 23andMe, the positions at rs3758391 were “not genotyped” so the presence, absence or results at this location are not known.

 Upon close review of Figure 1, my mother (still alive) is 96 years old.  If she tops 100 is not presently known.  Her brother passed away at 93 years old. These two are controls - my mother (96+) being the best and my uncle (93) placing second and still pretty good.  It is hard to go wrong with either.  For most of us, reaching the 90s will be a great blessing.  My SNPs are almost like my mother which could indicate me reaching well into my 90s (if I play my cards right).  SNP rs2542052 is C:C for all of us.  

Even compared to my mother, my uncle still made it to 93 years old, despite a few differences.  It is these differences that possibly decreased his lifespan.  Specifically my mother’s designations for rs2802292, rs2764264, rs276424, rs5882 and rs1061170 are G:T, C:T, C:T, A:G and T:T, whereas my uncle’s designation was T:T, T:T, T:T, G:G and C:T.  He had one less C allele on the first three, one less G allele on the next one and one less T on the last one.  However, at the rs6873545 location, the best result for longevity is the C allele (C:C is best).  My son and I have that one, whereas my mother and uncle were both T:T.  Does this mean my son and I will surpass my mother's age?  Time will tell.

If you want to play with this yourself, the hardest work has already been completed (see Fig. 1).  It is now your turn to plug in your own numbers and compare.  Good luck and enjoy.

Dewayne Allday, Copyright © 2025

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[1] "What are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)?," National Library of Medicine:  MedlinePlus (https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/genomicresearch/snp/ : 8 March 2025).  Also, "What is DNA?," National Library of Medicine:  MedlinePlus (https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/basics/dna/ : 8 March 2025).

[2] "FOXO3 longevity interactome on chromosome 6," National Library of Medicine:  National Center for Biotechnology Information (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5595686/: 8 March 2025). 

[3] “FOXO3A genotype is strongly associated with human longevity,” The National Library of Medicine:  National Center for Biotechnology Information, (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18765803/ : accessed 7 March 2025).

[4] “Rs2542052,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs2542052 : 7 March 2025).  Also, The National Library of Medicine:  National Center for Biotechnology Information (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16602826/ : 7 March 2025).

[5]  “Rs2802292,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs2802292 : 7 March 2025).  

[6]  “Rs2764264,” SNPedia ( https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs2764264 : 7 March 2025).  Also, “Longevity-Associated Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3) Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms are Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Chinese Elderly Women,” The National Library of Medicine:  National Center for Biotechnology Information (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31009445/ : 7 March 2025).

  [7] “Longevity,” SNPedia, (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Longevity : 7 March 2025).  Also, “rs1800795,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs1800795 : 7 March 2025).

  [8] “Rs34516635,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs34516635 : 7 March 2025).  Also, “Functionally significant insulin-like growth factor I receptor mutations in centenarians,” The National Library of Medicine:  National Center for Biotechnology Information, (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18316725/ : 7 March 2025).  Also, “Longevity,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Longevity : 7 March 2025).

 [9] “Rs2802288,” SNPedia, https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/rs2802288.  Also, “Longevity,”  SNPedia, (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Longevity : 7 March 2025).

 [10] “Rs5882,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs5882 : 7 March 2025).  

 [11] “Rs3758391,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs3758391 : 7 March 2025).  

 [12] “Longevity,” SNPedia, (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Longevity : 7 March 2025).  Also, “rs1061170,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs1061170 : 7 March 2025).

[13]   “Longevity,” SNPedia, (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Longevity : 7 March 2025).  Also, “rs6873545,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs6873545: 7 March 2025).  Also, “Rs4590183,” SNPedia (https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs4590183 : 7 March 2025).   https://www.snpedia.com/index.php/Rs4590183.