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Apologies. Of course you are correct about genetic and ethnic tendencies towards diabetes. My doctor buddy gets incensed though at patients who are prone to it not doing anything about their lifestyles which can greatly affect the progress of the disease to include delaying it or minimizing its effects.
I meant no offense. It distresses me to have several friends with the awful disease and yet they will not watch their diets nor exercise. Suicidal.
Thank you, no problem. I know what you mean, both my MIL and BIL have it and do absolutely nothing to control it except take the medicine that is prescribed. They are both extremely overweight, have terrible diets and do no exercise. I know they are going to have big problems in store.
Whether or not enjoyment of life has anything to do with quantity or not...it certainly adds to the quality of life.
Because our attitudes, thoughts and emotional state do have an impact on our physical bodies (e.g. cortisol levels), I do think enjoyment of life may be one of the terms in the equation...just as environment, habits, nutrition and other factors are. Personally, I believe genetics is the largest term in the equation. I know people (me included) who are considered low risk for diseases because of their eating habits, exercise habits...weight/height ratios...on an on. But, these people (me included) have developed diseases anyway. In my case, I developed the same type cancer my mother's father died of...and around the same age. I think it's quite possible my genes were simply programmed that way.
I also know a guy I once worked with who would light one cigarette off another. He told me he went through 3 packs a day, usually 4 on the days he didn't work. That guy is now in his late 80s...still puffing away and going about his business. That sounds like great genes to me.
Then there is always the possibility, as someone suggested, that it's simply a matter of "when your number is up, your number is up." We really don't know. But, in the mean time, I think I'll continue to do what I can to stay as healthy as possible. Even if that doesn't increase my lifespan, it makes the journey more enjoyable.
Whether or not enjoyment of life has anything to do with quantity or not...it certainly adds to the quality of life.
Because our attitudes, thoughts and emotional state do have an impact on our physical bodies (e.g. cortisol levels), I do think enjoyment of life may be one of the terms in the equation...just as environment, habits, nutrition and other factors are. Personally, I believe genetics is the largest term in the equation. I know people (me included) who are considered low risk for diseases because of their eating habits, exercise habits...weight/height ratios...on an on. But, these people (me included) have developed diseases anyway. In my case, I developed the same type cancer my mother's father died of...and around the same age. I think it's quite possible my genes were simply programmed that way.
I also know a guy I once worked with who would light one cigarette off another. He told me he went through 3 packs a day, usually 4 on the days he didn't work. That guy is now in his late 80s...still puffing away and going about his business. That sounds like great genes to me.
Then there is always the possibility, as someone suggested, that it's simply a matter of "when your number is up, your number is up." We really don't know. But, in the mean time, I think I'll continue to do what I can to stay as healthy as possible. Even if that doesn't increase my lifespan, it makes the journey more enjoyable.
That happened to a good friend of mine. She did everything healthy all her life that the books say but sadly died at age 56 of cancer as did her mother and one of her brothers. Sometimes we have no control and sometimes we do. It doesn't hurt, of course to try to do what we feel is healthy for our minds and bodies but as you have indicated, it isn't a guarantee of long life, just a healthy one until we do die.
That happened to a good friend of mine. She did everything healthy all her life that the books say but sadly died at age 56 of cancer as did her mother and one of her brothers. Sometimes we have no control and sometimes we do. It doesn't hurt, of course to try to do what we feel is healthy for our minds and bodies but as you have indicated, it isn't a guarantee of long life, just a healthy one until we do die.
Agree. If people put all their faith in their long life genes and have an unhealthy life style chances are good their genes won't save them.
I have relatives who lived to 86 (3 of them), 95, 94, and one who lived to 90 when it was rare - died in 1910). But if I hadn't quit smoking 20 years ago I'd be dead now.
Type II Diabetes is not totally genetic! If it was why would the rate of it in preschoolers be skyrocketing in recent years? These are kids who are obese due to an unhealthy diet. An unhealthy lifestyle increases your chances dramatically of getting type II.
Type II Diabetes is not totally genetic! If it was why would the rate of it in preschoolers be skyrocketing in recent years? These are kids who are obese due to an unhealthy diet. An unhealthy lifestyle increases your chances dramatically of getting type II.
No one said it was. But for many (like myself) it certainly IS genetic.
No one said it was. But for many (like myself) it certainly IS genetic.
I'll agree that for some it is. Didn't go back to look but some have implied it's mostly genetic. Anyone I've known personally who got type II were obese with a bad diet.
I always find it odd that people can argue a point of view based on two or three relatives or friends. Yes, it is interesting, and quite true, that some people had excellent health habits and died young. Yes, it is also interesting, and also quite true, that other people had atrocious health habits and had a rather vigorous old age. Genes are important, not question about it. But health habits are important too, perhaps equally so or almost equally so.
How can we seek the truth about all that? Certainly not by listing our parents, aunts, and uncles (plus some neighbors and friends of the family). A dozen people, give or take, is not nearly enough to form any valid conclusion about the relative importantce of genes versus health habits.
Folks, there have been hundreds of carefully formulated epidemiological studies covering millions of people in the aggregate which stretch back for decades, and which track all kinds of things including family histories (genetics). The basic conclusion is that both things are very important -genetics and various health habits and practices. It is not an either/or situation.
I always find it odd that people can argue a point of view based on two or three relatives or friends. Yes, it is interesting, and quite true, that some people had excellent health habits and died young. Yes, it is also interesting, and also quite true, that other people had atrocious health habits and had a rather vigorous old age. Genes are important, not question about it. But health habits are important too, perhaps equally so or almost equally so.
How can we seek the truth about all that? Certainly not by listing our parents, aunts, and uncles (plus some neighbors and friends of the family). A dozen people, give or take, is not nearly enough to form any valid conclusion about the relative importantce of genes versus health habits.
Folks, there have been hundreds of carefully formulated epidemiological studies covering millions of people in the aggregate which stretch back for decades, and which track all kinds of things including family histories (genetics). The basic conclusion is that both things are very important -genetics and various health habits and practices. It is not an either/or situation.
I don't know.. Most studies are based on such small percentages of the population generally (which always amazes me) I mean.. no one has ever polled me!
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Genes versus health habits
