On May 19, 2014, a Daily News article on centenarians in NYC quoted AFAR Deputy Scientific Director, and, 1997 Beeson Scholar and 1994 AFAR Research Grant recipient, Nir Barzilai, MD, for his expertise with this unique age group.
Dr. Barzilai, who has extensively studied over 500 older adults between the ages of 95 and 112, stated, “I don’t think you can get to age 100 without extra help from biology and genetics. We age at different rates. You see people who look ten years younger or older than their age. Those who are 100 years old, their aging is slowed the most.”
The article profiled Miguel Cruz, a 102-year-old long time New Yorker who’s relatively good health history has made him, like many other centenarians, “medically boring.
Dr. Barzilai believes that while following doctor recommendations will help people live into their 80s, living to 100+ is genetic. So far Dr. Barzilai’s research has identified five genes related to longevity.
Nir Barzilai, MD, is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.
Read Daniel E.L. Promislow, PhD’s, Ask the Expert interview to learn why your genes hold the key to your longevity.
