November 17, 2017.
The Amish, those people who live far from modern comforts as in the 17th and 18th centuries, have a secret to living longer. We tell you everything.
Living as in the old days is good for your health
The Amish have a longer life expectancy than other Americans: 85 years on average, compared to 78 years for an American adult. Researchers have long believed that this longevity was explained by a healthy lifestyle, but that would not be the only explanation. According to a study conducted by a team of researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago, this longevity is due to a genetic mutation.
These works, published in the journal Science Advances, indeed highlight a genetic specificity of the Amish which protects them from some of the biological effects of aging. To reach this conclusion, the researchers analyzed the genes of 177 Amish, from the community of Bern, Indiana, aged 18 to 85. They were able to observe that 43 of them carried a mutation in the Serpine1 gene.
A genetic mutation that guarantees better longevity
However, according to the researchers, this gene is responsible for a reduction in the production of the PAI-1 protein, linked to the aging process. ” We were surprised to see the anti-aging benefits of this genetic mutation », Explained Dr Douglas Vaughan, who took part in the work. This study would allow us to understand how the Amish manage to protect themselves ” against age-related changes “.
In addition, the authors of this study observed that those who carried this genetic mutation suffered less from diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Their blood pressure was lower and their blood vessels more flexible. Generally, Amish people are less prone to asthma and allergies. Is this change due to the ban on mixed marriages within the community? The study does not say so.
Claire Verdier
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