Researchers say that adhering to a healthy lifestyle can offset the genetic predisposition to a shorter life span by over 60%, thereby adding up to 5 years to an individual’s average life expectancy.

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According to a report published by The Guardian, the research sheds light on the powerful interplay between genetic factors and lifestyle choices in determining human lifespan.

By analyzing data from the UK Biobank, researchers from the School of Medicine at Zhejiang University in China and the University of Edinburgh in the UK examined the relationship between genetic risk factors, lifestyle choices, and longevity accurately, measuring the extent to which a healthy lifestyle can mitigate the impact of genetic predisposition on reducing average lifespan.

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The results revealed that individuals with a high genetic risk of early death face an increased likelihood of early death by 21% compared to their low genetic risk counterparts, regardless of lifestyle choices due to genetic predisposition to deadly diseases.

Conversely, those who follow unhealthy lifestyles see an astonishing 78% increase in the risk of early death, regardless of their genetic predisposition.

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Furthermore, individuals with unfavorable genetic traits and unhealthy lifestyles are more than twice as likely to die prematurely as those with healthy genetic backgrounds and lifestyle choices.

However, amidst these seemingly inevitable factors, the research offers a glimmer of hope by showing that the detrimental effects of genetic predisposition to early death can be mitigated by adopting a suitable lifestyle, compensating for the risk significantly by up to 62%. It was found that participants with high genetic risk obtain nearly 5.22 additional years of average life expectancy by adopting healthy lifestyle habits.

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Good Lifestyle Factors

The study identified a set of lifestyle factors, including an “optimal lifestyle mix,” that could lead to longevity, including abstaining from smoking, regular exercise, ensuring adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet.

This research underscores the central role of healthy lifestyle choices, including balanced nutrition and physical activity, in promoting longevity, even in the presence of genetic predisposition.