A recent analysis of several long-term studies conducted by Dr. Xifeng Wu, the dean of the School of Public Health and vice president of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China, has indicated that leading a healthy lifestyle could potentially counteract the impact of genes that shorten life by more than 60%. This study, published in the BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, explored the influence of lifestyle and genetic factors on human lifespan.
Dr. Wu’s study revealed that individuals with an unfavourable lifestyle have a 78% higher risk of death, regardless of their genetic predisposition. Conversely, those with a favourable lifestyle have the potential to reduce the genetic risk of premature death by approximately 62%. It identified four key lifestyle habits that can elongate human lifespan: no current smoking, regular physical activity, adequate sleep duration, and a healthy diet. By adhering to these healthy habits, individuals with a high genetic risk for a shortened lifespan could potentially extend their life expectancy by almost 5 1/2 years at the age of 40.
It is imperative to note that lifestyle habits have a greater influence on mortality than genetic susceptibility. According to Dr. Christopher Kramer, chief of the cardiovascular division at the University of Virginia Health, genes do have some influence on lifespan, but lifestyle has significantly more influence. He emphasized the importance of a proper diet, weight management, exercise, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol use in promoting overall health and longevity.
The study’s data was provided by the UK Biobank, a resource assembled by the British government, which monitored more than 350,000 Europeans over almost 13 years. Mark Gerstein, a professor of biomedical informatics and data science at Yale University, highlighted the significance of the UK Biobank in providing evidence that lifestyle factors can mitigate the risk of early death, even for individuals genetically predisposed to diseases.
According to Dr. Deborah Kado, a professor of medicine at Stanford School of Medicine, the research underscores the substantial impact of lifestyle choices on gene expression and disease development. It emphasizes the importance of lifestyle choices in maximizing health, and how these behaviours can affect the manifestation of diseases.
In conclusion, the study’s findings provide substantial evidence to support the idea that healthy living can counteract genetic determinants of lifespan. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, individuals can proactively counteract genetic risk factors and improve their overall well-being.