Knowing how to enjoy Christmas might be in your genes!

Most years I’ve found my Christmas Blog to be a difficult one to write. What can be said that will be of any interest to potential readers at this time of the year? My Christmas Blog this year also has the disadvantage of being written and posted on Christmas Eve, not usually a day for folk to do much more than sort out all those last minute preparations; shopping; wrap Christmas presents that you’ve discovered at the bottom of the wardrobe; visit friends and relatives and maybe have a glass or two later. So I am not sure what I can write that might provide a reason to pause for a moment or two. My eldest daughter suggested a social media holiday. I am not so sure, life is short.

My neighbour decided to go on a real holiday however. This Christmas she chose to go to New York for a change. I have been there many times and absolutely think it is a great place. It is her first trip there and she was understandably excited. Judging from her very full itinerary I don’t think she will have much time to pause! She intends to do everything on the ‘tourist map’ and more besides. On your first visit to New York it’s always worth getting a guide to show you the main sights. Last week I read the story of Hilda Jaffe. She lives in New York. She is 95 years old and still works as a volunteer guide taking tourists around the attractions. It’s said that she strides rather than just walks. In fact she goes everywhere on foot. Hilda describes New York as a ‘great city for older people’.

Hilda is among more than 600 people aged over 90 who are part of the Longevity Genes Project. Samples of her DNA are stored in a freezer at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx. What is interesting about the studies participants is that many appear to live very unhealthy lives. 50% were overweight, many smoked and many indulged in unhealthy diets. What the research seems to suggest is that there are a number of genetic variants that appeared to provide protection against the diseases of ageing. One in 10,000 people are said to have these protective genes. Hilda’s parents were also long lived. Her Father died aged 88 and her Mother aged 93.

The Longevity Genes Project is being undertaken in the US, a nation seemingly obsessed with eternal youth. Starting in 2018, a 6 year randomised trial involving some 3000 people between the ages of 65 – 79, will look at the impact of the drug metformin on ageing. Metformin is commonly given to treat type 2 diabetes, but animal trials have suggested it can slow the process of ageing. The US regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently doesn’t recognise ageing as a medical condition, so are unlikely to fund the $70 million dollars needed to undertake the study. However, over half this amount has already been raised and I strongly suspect the other half will be easy to obtain.

Peter Thiel made his fortune selling PayPal to eBay. Larry Page was the co-founder of Google. Alongside the creators of Facebook, eBay, Napster, and Netscape they are all using their wealth to rewrite the US science agenda, and in particular transforming biomedical research. Microsoft co-founder bill Gates (said to be the wealthiest man in the world) is just one a 130 billionaires who have signed a ‘Giving Pledge’ to give away at least 50% of their wealth, which collectively is thought to be about $700 billion. Most of this money is going into serious medical and health care research.

Christmas is often thought of as a time to give. Like Hilda, these successful entrepreneurs are giving to others. We can do the same. We can look out for those who may be alone, hungry, cold, vulnerable, homeless and in danger, and each of us in our own way can give something back in helping these folk. It doesn’t have to be millions of dollars. It could be a smile, some donated cans to a food bank, an invitation to dinner or a shared coffee with a neighbour. 

I have some of my family calling later this morning for a coffee, mince pie and a Christmas catch up. Then its driving back up to the House in Scotland for the rest of the Christmas break. I wish you and yours the very best for the season whatever it is you are doing and whoever it is you maybe with. Thank you for taking the time to pause and read this Christmas Eve blog – and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!