It’s well established that both your genes and lifestyle influence how long you live. But which has a greater impact? A new study sought to answer this by tracking over 350,000 adults for nearly 13 years. Researchers combined various genetic factors to calculate each person’s polygenetic risk score—indicating their genetic predisposition for longevity—and compared it to lifestyle choices such as diet, smoking habits, exercise, and sleep.
The results were striking. People with both a genetic risk for a shorter lifespan and an unhealthy lifestyle were twice as likely to die prematurely compared to those with a genetic predisposition for long life and a healthy lifestyle. While you can’t control your genes, you can control your lifestyle, and the study found that healthy choices can offset a genetic predisposition for a shorter life by 62%, potentially adding 5.5 years to life expectancy by age 40.
The most important lifestyle factors were a healthy diet, not smoking, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. Regardless of your genetic makeup, a healthy lifestyle can significantly extend your life.
Reference: BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. Published Online First: 29 April 2024. doi: 10.1136/bmjebm-2023-112583.