Living a Healthy Lifestyle Can Decrease Genetic Risk of Premature Death

A new study led by researchers from Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China has found that individuals who are carriers of life-shortening genes can significantly reduce their risk of early death by more than 60 percent by adopting a healthy lifestyle. The findings, published in the BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, shed light on the powerful impact of lifestyle choices on overall longevity.

The study analyzed data from 353,742 participants of European ancestry with a median follow-up of 12.86 years, drawing from large cohort studies and biobanks such as LifeGen, the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the UK Biobank. Over the course of the study, 24,239 individuals across the cohorts passed away.

Researchers identified several key lifestyle factors that can contribute to an increased risk of premature death, including current smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, unhealthy body weight, poor sleep habits, and an unhealthy diet. Individuals with an unhealthy lifestyle were found to have a 78% higher risk of dying compared to those with a healthy lifestyle.

To further assess participants’ risk of premature death, the research team developed a polygenic risk score that categorized individuals into groups with short, medium, or long genetic lifespans. Those in the short genetic lifespan group, comprising 20% of the participants, had a 21% higher risk of dying during the follow-up period compared to those in the long genetic lifespan group.

When genetic risk and lifestyle factors were combined, individuals with a short genetic lifespan prediction and an unhealthy lifestyle were found to have a 2.04-fold increased risk of dying compared to those with a long lifespan prediction and a healthy lifestyle. This highlights the significant impact that lifestyle choices can have on overall mortality risk, even in individuals with a genetic predisposition to a shorter lifespan.

The researchers emphasized the importance of promoting healthy lifestyle habits, particularly for individuals at high genetic risk of premature death. They found that participants with a high genetic risk could potentially extend their life expectancy by approximately 5.22 years at age 40 by adopting a favorable lifestyle. This underscores the potential for effective public health interventions to help individuals at high genetic risk improve their longevity before unhealthy habits become ingrained.

Overall, the study underscores the powerful influence of lifestyle choices on overall lifespan, even in individuals with genetic predispositions to shorter lifespans. By prioritizing healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of premature death and improve their overall quality of life. The findings highlight the importance of proactive health interventions to support individuals in making positive lifestyle changes and extending their longevity.