How Lifestyle and Environmental Choices Shape Your Health and Aging More Than Genetics

A recent study from Oxford Population Health highlights how environmental and lifestyle factors play a significant role in health and longevity, more so than our genetic makeup. The research involved nearly half a million participants from the UK Biobank, analyzing 164 environmental factors alongside genetic risk scores for 22 major diseases. The findings were published in Nature Medicine.

Here are some key points from the study:

• Environmental factors accounted for 17% of the risk of death, while genetics explained less than 2%.
• Smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and living conditions emerged as the most impactful factors on mortality and biological aging.
• Smoking was linked to 21 diseases, while socioeconomic factors influenced 19 diseases, and physical activity was associated with 17 diseases.
• A total of 23 factors identified are changeable.
• Experiences in early life, such as body weight at age 10 and maternal smoking, affect aging and premature death risk many years later.
• Environmental factors had a stronger influence on lung, heart, and liver diseases, while genetic risks were more prominent for conditions like dementia and breast cancer.

Professor Cornelia van Duijn, the study’s senior author, pointed out that the results reveal a significant opportunity to improve health through changes in lifestyle and policy. While genetics play a role in certain diseases, addressing modifiable risk factors can help prevent chronic diseases that cause disability and death.

One innovative aspect of the study was the use of a new “aging clock” based on blood protein levels. This allowed researchers to link environmental exposures to biological aging, providing a clearer picture of how different factors contribute to health outcomes over time. The team aimed to quantify the impact of the environment and lifestyle on aging—an approach known as the exposome.

Dr. Austin Argentieri, the lead author, emphasized the importance of focusing on environmental factors, as they offer actionable strategies to reduce the risk of age-related diseases and premature death.

Professor Bryan Williams from the British Heart Foundation echoed these sentiments, noting the urgent need for government action to address the barriers many face when it comes to maintaining health and longevity.

The study marks a step forward in understanding how various environmental and lifestyle factors interact and affect health. By taking a holistic view, researchers hope to identify effective strategies for improving health in aging populations.

This research provides a clearer understanding of the complex relationship between our surroundings, our choices, and our health, urging a collective effort to foster healthier environments.

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