According to a groundbreaking study, adopting a healthy lifestyle might counteract the influence of genetics by over 60% and potentially extend your life by five years, marking the first investigation of its kind.
It’s widely recognized that some individuals carry genetic predispositions to shorter lifespans. Equally acknowledged is the impact of lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol intake, diet, and physical activity on longevity. However, until now, there hasn’t been an exploration into the extent to which healthy habits can mitigate genetic factors.
The study, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, draws on data from several long-term studies, revealing that a healthy lifestyle could potentially neutralize the effects of genes linked to shorter lifespans by 62%, potentially adding five years to one’s life.
Researchers concluded that promoting healthy lifestyles through public health policies could serve as powerful complements to traditional healthcare, countering the influence of genetic factors on human lifespan.
The research, involving 353,742 participants from the UK Biobank, unveiled that those with a high genetic risk of premature death face a 21% increased risk of early mortality compared to those with a low genetic risk, regardless of lifestyle choices.
Conversely, individuals with unhealthy lifestyles exhibit a 78% heightened risk of early death, irrespective of genetic predisposition, as per findings from Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China and the University of Edinburgh.
The study highlighted the impact of both lifestyle choices and genetic factors on lifespan, revealing that an unfavorable lifestyle combined with a genetic predisposition to shorter life more than doubled the risk of early mortality.
However, the research also offered a glimmer of hope, suggesting that individuals have a degree of control over their lifespan. A favorable lifestyle could potentially offset the genetic risk of premature death by about 62%, equating to an additional 5.22 years of life expectancy at age 40.
The optimal lifestyle combination for longevity was identified as never smoking, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining adequate sleep duration, and adhering to a healthy diet.
Over a 13-year average follow-up period, during which 24,239 deaths occurred, participants were categorized based on their genetically determined lifespan and lifestyle scores. Polygenic risk scores were utilized to assess overall genetic predisposition, while other scores evaluated lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, body shape, diet quality, and sleep patterns.
Matt Lambert from the World Cancer Research Fund emphasized the significance of the findings, affirming that adopting a balanced, nutritious diet and leading an active lifestyle can contribute to a longer, healthier life, regardless of genetic factors.
