 Histone modifications are like a communication channel between the changing environment and the static genome. Aspects of our environment that affect aging – diet is a great example – do so in part by changing the pattern of histone modifications. This means that we could potentially increase our lifespan or health span by stopping those changes or finding other ways to control the histone modification pattern. Drugs that affect histone modification are one avenue, but other easier tools are available now. Regulating diet and other lifestyle habits can affect your histones, changing how genes are expressed, and lengthening your lifespan.