Important steps you can take in terms of your own aging are the old stand-bys:  sensible diet, regular exercise, and learning to manage stress. 

Most people die of disease or accident before they reach their theoretical biologic limit.  Many people aged 65 and older die from heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lung disease, diabetes and kidney disease, all of which have strong causal relationships to lifestyle.

Suppose your goal was to live to a hundred?  Could you do it?  The short answer is probably not, unless you're a big winner in the "genetic lottery."  However, if you think about genetics as the factor that defines your potential for a long life and lifestyle as the factor that will determine your likelihood of reaching that potential, there's a lot you can do to maximize your life expectancy as well as your quality of life. 

First, though, consider all the things you shouldn't do.  Longevity has become big business in the U.S. and a lot of what's being sold is worthless and a waste of money at best and dangerous at worst.  Here are some facts: 

• There is no test that will predict how long you will live.
• There is no pill that will increase longevity. 
• There is no specific diet plan that has been scientifically tested in humans to increase longevity (maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding foods that are bad for you can help prevent certain diseases). 
• There is no magic procedure that will increase longevity.

What are the things you should do?  Begin by setting a goal – but not one based on years alone.  Far too many people who live to an advanced age can't enjoy those extra years because of disease and pain.  The objective should be to extend healthy life as long as possible, not just add years to our lives. That means focusing on "successful aging." 

Researchers have identified seven factors that appear to predict successful aging:

• Maintaining an appropriate weight
• Not smoking
• Moderate alcohol use
• Regular exercise
• Positive coping mechanisms
• A stable marriage
• No depressive illness

Common traits of centenarians are:

• Few are obese
• They have a history of being physically active
• They're very adaptable and handle stress well
• They tend to be very sociable people
• They have something that gives meaning to their lives
• They exercise their minds as well as their bodies

If you worry it's too late to make a difference, think again. Researchers say it's never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle.