What’s secret to living a long life? Millions of people are constantly searching for an answer to this question. Many have lived well past average age expectancy. These people are looked upon with great admiration and envy, for having beaten odds, having defied death for so long. When asked what they attribute their longevity to, their replies often differ.

Some say that it’s one key ingredient in their diet that’s secret. “Cod liver oil…that made difference” one older person claimed. One man for example believes that having 2 drinks of brandy every day has carried him past century mark. While a woman who has reached one hundred years of life said key to her longevity is due to avoiding alcohol.

Certain scientists believe that a person’s life span is determined by their genetic make-up. Other scientists however claim that people, who have higher risks in developing chronic diseases from heredity, may be able to avoid them by taking certain steps and may still attain longevity.

In fact, studies have shown that through behavior modification including stress management, exercise participation, diet improvement, and even medication, a person can overcome certain diseases and in some cases can prevent them from happening entirely, just by reducing certain health risk factors.

In a report from CNN.com, Dr. Collazo-Clavell says that diabetes patients can significantly reduce chances of developing heart disease if preventive steps are taken. Diabetes patients are normally against odds with risk of developing heart disease. But this doesn’t have to be case. According to Dr. Collazo-Clavell, taking aggressive action and making certain lifestyle changes a person with diabetes can beat odds. (1)

There is little doubt however that genetics play a significant role in determining a person’s life span. Just as heredity plays a role in passing down or increasing risks of developing certain health conditions, it plays a similar role in increasing chances of longevity.

According to research by Robert W. Griffith, MD, people that lived over a hundred years, on some occasions had siblings or someone in their family tree that also passed hundred year mark. (2)

It seems that a large percentage of elderly people have one thing in common. They have been fairly active most of their lives. And have stayed active well into late stages of life. Or, at least as long as their health condition has allowed them to.

A study from Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, shows that exercise participation is very important in maintaining health and longevity. (3)

This problem is surely not work of a vengeful sorcerer. Acne vulgaris is what this most common skin disorder in United States is scientifically called. Statistics has it that 15 million people in US alone are afflicted with acne. It is an embarrassing problem among teenagers. But this condition is not only limited to those awkward years. Adult acne is also prevalent, especially among people in age group of 25 to 40.

Acne is a disease that resulted from accumulation of sebum, a highbrow term for oil, underneath skin. When this happens and desquamation (human's way of molting) process goes wrong, pores become clogged. Aggravation will continue and soon infection sets in. A bad bug called Propionibacterium acnes causes this infection. Overproduction of oil and mismanagement of process of shedding cells equals bunged pores. Clogged pores plus P. acnes, scoundrel, equals breakout. Those pesky zits are produced just as easy as that.

One of pushing forces that may cause occurrence of acne includes elevation of levels of testosterone among adolescents. No, it's not Toblerone misspelled. No matter how many anecdotes you've heard about chocolate addiction causing zits to dominate your face, there's really no enough scientific basis to prove this. Testosterone is a chemical produced by body that increase sebum production and change keratin of hair follicles. Testosterone is an androgen. Androgen is a hormone produced in high levels among males. This is reason behind worse cases of acne among teenage boys more than girls.

Adult acne is called acne rosacea. It is characterized by following: unsightly thick, red skin on nose and cheeks, pus-filled blisters, small red bumps, and small red blood vessels seen on skin surface. It is more commonly linked to increased levels of stress. Isn't it interesting how body reacts to this stimulus? NOT. When exhausted, like Gizmo getting wet, our skin could actually give birth to little monsters! Though they are not as troublesome as gremlins, they could be just as annoying as well. Seriously, pimples can be difficult to deal with, and can cause depression and anxiety in an adult same way it can in a teen. Pressure from work and family responsibilities is thought to possibly affect normal balance of our hormones. And hormones messed up means having to put up with bumpy complexion caused by adult acne.

Aside from stress-triggered hormonal imbalance, hot foods alcohol consumption, and smoking are also considered to exacerbate adult acne. This may help you reconsider your food preferences and habits.