A groundbreaking study suggests that lifestyle choices play a significant role in offsetting genetic predispositions to early death. While genetics alone can increase the risk of premature mortality by 21%, adopting a healthy lifestyle can counterbalance this risk by more than 60% and potentially extend lifespan by up to five years.
Conducted by researchers from Zhejiang University School of Medicine and the University of Edinburgh, the study analyzed data from the UK Biobank involving over 350,000 individuals. Findings revealed that individuals with a high genetic risk of shorter lifespan faced a 21% higher likelihood of early death, regardless of lifestyle factors. Conversely, those with unhealthy lifestyles had a 78% increased chance of premature mortality, irrespective of genetic risk.
The study emphasizes the pivotal role of healthy lifestyle choices, including never smoking, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet, in mitigating the impact of genetic factors on lifespan. Participants with high genetic risk could potentially extend their life expectancy by over five years by adopting a favorable lifestyle.
These findings underscore the importance of public health policies aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles to complement conventional healthcare measures. Despite genetic predispositions, individuals have a degree of control over their health outcomes through lifestyle modifications.
Matt Lambert, a senior health information officer at the World Cancer Research Fund, highlighted the significance of the research, affirming that healthy living, including balanced nutrition and physical activity, can contribute to longevity.
In conclusion, the study provides compelling evidence that lifestyle choices can significantly influence lifespan, offering hope for individuals with genetic predispositions to adopt healthier habits and improve their overall health outcomes.