In recent years, researchers have displayed a growing interest in the relationship between lifestyle choices and longevity, with recent studies uncovering compelling evidence. A group of scientists from China and Scotland have proposed that a healthy lifestyle may be able to compensate for a poor genetic predisposition, providing hope for individuals who are concerned about their genetic risk factors for decreased life expectancy.
The study, which involved over 350,000 adults, determined that healthy habits such as a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and non-smoking can counteract the effects of genes that could potentially shorten life by more than 60%. These findings underscore the significance of daily choices in maintaining long-term health and potentially increasing one’s lifespan.
By utilizing data from 353,742 adults from the UK Biobank, researchers calculated polygenic risk scores to assess genetic predisposition to longer or shorter lifespans, as well as scores associated with healthy lifestyles. The participants were monitored from 2006 to 2021, during which over 24,000 individuals passed away.
The study, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, revealed that individuals genetically predisposed to a shorter life were 21% more likely to die prematurely than those with a longer life expectancy, regardless of their lifestyle. However, the research suggests that a healthy lifestyle can offset the genetic risk of premature death by more than 60%.
According to the findings, individuals with a high genetic risk of a shorter lifespan could potentially extend their life by about 5.5 years at the age of 40 by adhering to a healthy lifestyle. This underscores the importance of adopting healthy habits early in life to see a significant increase in life expectancy.
Furthermore, the study highlighted specific lifestyle habits that were particularly crucial, including not smoking, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and a balanced diet. The study authors emphasized the pivotal role of a healthy lifestyle in mitigating the impact of genetic factors on lifespan reduction, advocating for public health policies to enhance healthy lifestyles as potent complements to conventional healthcare.
Another study conducted on over 700,000 people suggested that adopting eight healthy habits by the age of 40 could lead to men living an average of 24 years longer and women living 21 years longer than those who did not adopt these habits. These healthy habits included being physically active, not smoking, managing stress, eating well, getting enough sleep, avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, not relying on opioids, and maintaining positive social relationships.
In conclusion, these findings highlight the crucial link between lifestyle choices and life expectancy, offering compelling evidence that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can potentially alleviate the effects of genetics that may shorten lifespan. It underscores the importance of early adoption of healthy habits for a longer and healthier life.