Healthy lifestyle can neutralize genes that reduce life expectancy

A recent study published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine suggests that a healthy lifestyle can offset the adverse effects of genes that tend to shorten lifespan by more than 60%. This analysis is based on several long-term studies and highlights the importance of daily choices in promoting health and longevity.

While genes play a significant role in determining life expectancy, research highlights that an unhealthy lifestyle is directly associated with a 78% increase in the risk of premature death, regardless of genetic predisposition.

The study used the polygenic risk score (SRP), which combines genetic variants to assess a person’s overall predisposition to longevity. Furthermore, factors such as tobacco consumption, alcohol intake, diet quality, sleep patterns and physical activity levels were considered essential components of lifestyle.

By analyzing data from more than 350,000 adults tracked by the UK Biobank, researchers found that those with a genetic predisposition to a shorter lifespan were 21% more likely to die early, while those with an unfavorable lifestyle faced an increased of 78% in this risk.

Those who were at high genetic risk and adopted an unhealthy lifestyle were twice as likely to die prematurely compared to those with a favorable genetic predisposition and healthy habits.

The results highlighted that four specific factors constitute an ideal lifestyle combination: abstaining from smoking, regular exercise, adequate sleep and a healthy diet.

Although the study is observational and does not allow definitive conclusions to be drawn about cause and effect, the researchers recognize its limitations. For example, lifestyle was only assessed at one point in time, and choices may vary with age. Additionally, the study sample consisted primarily of participants of European descent, which may limit the generalizability of the results.

However, researchers emphasize that a healthy lifestyle can significantly offset the negative effects of genes related to reduced life expectancy, reaching around 62%. They suggest that individuals at high genetic risk could extend their lifespan by almost 5.5 years by age 40 by adopting a healthy lifestyle.