Can testing the length of the ends of your DNA strands be a predictor of how long you will live? Since the discovery that telomeres act as a “molecular clock” in people, there has been great interest in finding out if telomere length can be used to accurately predict how long a person will live.
On the Internet, they sell test-your-own-telomere-length kits and supplements that are touted to help people maintain their telomeres. But a new study has found that using telomere length was just slightly better than a “coin toss.”
While there isn’t a way to predict exactly how long you will live and how well you will age, you can get a glimpse into your possible future with longevity and life expectancy calculators. These calculators use the research and statistics available to estimate how long you might live and your level of risk of certain chronic diseases or other factors that may impact your longevity.
There are many online life expectancy calculator tools and resources available. Though their unique levels of detail and the strength of the underlying research and data varies from tool to tool, many can offer a sense of how well you are living compared to other people your age. If your lifestyle is healthy, you’ll score better than average. Conversely, if your lifestyle is unhealthy, your score will be worse than average.
Studies show that only 20-30% of your aging depends on genetics or family history (for most people), the rest is up to you and the lifestyle choices you make and the environment in which you live. Some of the best life expectancy calculators provide tips for lifestyle changes that can positively impact your chances of living a longer, healthier life.