Friday, August 8, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Medicine

Healthy lifestyle may offset effects of life-shortening genes by 60%+

April 29, 2024
in Medicine
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Healthy lifestyle may offset effects of life-shortening genes by 60%+
69
SHARES
628
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

A healthy lifestyle may offset the effects of life-shortening genes by more than 60%, suggests an analysis of the findings from several large long term studies, published online in the journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine.

A healthy lifestyle may offset the effects of life-shortening genes by more than 60%, suggests an analysis of the findings from several large long term studies, published online in the journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine.

 

While genes and lifestyle seem to have an additive effect on a person’s lifespan, an unhealthy lifestyle is independently linked to a 78% heightened risk of dying before one’s time, regardless of genetic predisposition, the research indicates.

The polygenic risk score (PRS) combines multiple genetic variants to arrive at a person’s overall genetic predisposition to a longer or shorter lifespan. And lifestyle—tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet quality, sleep quota and physical activity levels—is a key factor.

But it’s not clear the extent to which a healthy lifestyle might offset genetic predisposition to a shortened lifespan, say the researchers.

To explore this further, they drew on a total of 353,742 adults, recruited to the UK Biobank between 2006 and 2010, and whose health was tracked up until 2021.

A polygenic risk score was derived for long (20% of participants), intermediate (60%), and short (20%) lifespan risks, using data from the LifeGen cohort study.

And a weighted healthy lifestyle score, to include no current smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular physical activity, healthy body shape, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet, was categorised into favourable (23% of participants), intermediate (56%), and unfavourable (22%) lifestyles, using data from the US NHANES study.

During an average tracking period of nearly 13 years, 24,239 participants died. 

Those genetically predisposed to a short lifespan were 21% more likely to die early than those genetically predisposed to a long life, regardless of their lifestyle.

Similarly, those who had an unfavourable lifestyle were 78% more likely to die before their time than those with a favourable lifestyle, irrespective of their genetic predisposition.

And those at high genetic risk of a shortened lifespan and who had an unfavourable lifestyle were twice as likely to die as those genetically predisposed to a long life and who had a favourable lifestyle.

Four factors in particular seemed to make up the optimal lifestyle combination: not smoking; regular physical activity; adequate nightly sleep; and a healthy diet. 

This is an observational study, and as such, no definitive conclusions can be reached about cause and effect, added to which the researchers acknowledge various limitations to their findings.

Lifestyle was assessed at only one point in time, for example, and lifestyle choices differ by age. Participants were also all of European ancestry, which may limit the generalisability of the findings, say the researchers.

Nevertheless, they suggest that their findings indicate that the genetic risk of a shorter lifespan or premature death might be offset by a favourable lifestyle by around 62%. 

Those at high genetic risk of a shortened lifespan could extend their life expectancy by nearly 5.5 years at the age of 40 with a healthy lifestyle, they suggest, adding that given how lifestyle habits tend to be cemented before middle age, steps to mitigate genetic predisposition to a shortened life are needed before then.

“This study elucidates the pivotal role of a healthy lifestyle in mitigating the impact of genetic factors on lifespan reduction,” they conclude. “Public health policies for improving healthy lifestyles would serve as potent complements to conventional healthcare and mitigate the influence of genetic factors on human lifespan.”



Journal

BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine

DOI

10.1136/bmjebm-2023-112583

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Genetic predisposition, modifiable lifestyles, and their joint effects on human lifespan: evidence from multiple cohort studies

Article Publication Date

29-Apr-2024

COI Statement

PRHJT is an employee of BioAge Labs, Inc; there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Share28Tweet17
Previous Post

Microarray patches safe and effective for vaccinating children, trial shows

Next Post

OHSU patient is world’s first documented case of brain disease from fentanyl inhalation

Related Posts

blank
Medicine

Special Journal Issue Highlights Disability in the Black Community and Urges Culturally Tailored Counseling Approaches

August 8, 2025
blank
Medicine

In-Depth Analysis of Clubfoot Causes and Treatment Advances

August 8, 2025
blank
Medicine

UC Study Reveals Connection Between Childhood Trauma and Tobacco Exposure

August 8, 2025
blank
Medicine

Real-Time ICU Patient Acuity Prediction via State-Space Modeling

August 8, 2025
blank
Medicine

Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase’s Role in NAD+ Metabolism

August 8, 2025
blank
Medicine

New Study Finds Exercise Reduces Mortality and Cardiovascular Risks in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients Without Prior Heart Disease

August 8, 2025
Next Post
OHSU patient is world’s first documented case of brain disease from fentanyl inhalation

OHSU patient is world’s first documented case of brain disease from fentanyl inhalation

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27531 shares
    Share 11009 Tweet 6881
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    942 shares
    Share 377 Tweet 236
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    641 shares
    Share 256 Tweet 160
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    507 shares
    Share 203 Tweet 127
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    310 shares
    Share 124 Tweet 78
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Special Journal Issue Highlights Disability in the Black Community and Urges Culturally Tailored Counseling Approaches
  • Metastatic Gastric Cancer: Survival Varies by Site
  • Remote Work’s Impact on Employee Well-Being: Balanced Benefits
  • Bendamustine Triggers ER Stress Apoptosis in Breast Cancer

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,858 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading