Tl; DR: A new study on the health of the Oxford population found that lifestyle and environmental factors have much increased impact on health and aging than genetics. Smoking, physical activity, socioeconomic situation and living conditions are the most important effects of duration. The study emphasizes that most of these factors highlightHave the ability to improve your health and lifestyle through conscious possibilities.
Your lifestyle and the environment remains more than your genes: New research on healthy aging
Have you ever wondered how much control do you need in your health at age? Direct study Oxford population healthPublished Nature MedicineYour lifestyle options and the environment fills much larger papers than your long life than your genetic makeup.
Key findings
Researchers analyzed data about almost half a million hundred of the participants in the UK biobank participants, to assess how environmental and genetic factors affect aging, disease development and early deaths.
The results were open eyes:
- Environmental factors have been explained 17% of death risk changeWhile it was less than genetic predispositions 2%.
- De 25 key environmental factors Identify, Smoking, socio-economic situation, physical activity and living conditions had the most significant effect.
- Smoking was linked 21 diseases.
- Socio-economic factors (income, housing property, employment) were linked 19 Diseases.
- Promenade It has been affected regularly 17 diseases And the habit is simple but effective.
- 23 of the 25 identified factors can be changedThis can be changed to improve health results.
According to Professor of Cornelia van DuijnThe main author of the study, “Our research shows a profound impact of individuals or policies that can affect the improvement of socio-economic conditions, smoking or promoting physical activity.”
Initial life factors make up your future health
One of the most striking discoveries was that Early life exposures10 year olds and mother burning during pregnancy, for example, can affect the risk of body weight, aging and mortality 30 to 80 years later. This highlights the importance of life and long-term prevention measures.
“Early exposures of life are particularly important that environmental factors accelerate aging in life, but leave a wide range of sustainability diseases and early death. The Van Duijn teacher says.
‘Role of the aging clock’
The study introduced only one tool with only one tool Aging clockthat measures biological age based on blood protein level. This allows researchers to predict how different environmental exposures affect biological aging and premature mortality.
Dr. Austin Argentieri, the main author of the study, explained:
“Our vision exposure was allowed us to quantify the aging of environmental and genetics, the general approach according to the aging of environmental and lifestyles factors and early death.
The most important lifestyle and environmental factor
Genetics plays some diseases (such as dementia and breast cancer), Lifestyle and environmental factors have a complete impact of aging and mortality risk.
Here are the maximum effect:
Environmental factors:
- Home income and socioeconomic status
- Home property and employment status
- Living conditions (eg air pollution, housing quality)
Lifestyle factors:
- Smoking (Related to most diseases)
- Physical activity (Reduces the risk of 17 disease)
- Foods that help lower blood pressureFor example, green leaves and berries, they have a key role in cardiovascular health.
- Foods that clean your arteries naturallyAs avocados and fat fish, they help build plate and support the function of the heart.
- Main prebiotic foods Like garlic, onions and bananas, they are fed by beneficial bacteria in the bowels, improving Intestinal health and digestion.
- Probiotic foodsYogurta and Kefirra, for example, allow balanced microbiotist, improving immune function and digestion. There are so many benefits Taking probiotic every day!
- Number of sleep
- Go to the gym at least once a week
- Participate in activities such as dance and yoga. Yes, you can Dance your way to better brain healthImproving cognitive function and reduce stress.
It is interesting that the study did not examine the diet due to the limitations available in the available data, but the researchers believe that it is likely to role in aging and disease prevention.
Health Difference: Your Zip code can determine your lifestyle
This is one of the greatest lalders in this study Where and how you live can fit your health more than your DNA.
Professor Bryan WilliamsThe scientific director and doctor of the Britain Heart Foundation emphasizes the social impact of these findings:
“Your income, postal code and backgrounds should not be determined for long-life and healthy living opportunities. But this pioneering study strengthens that this is too much for people.”
It continues, “We urgently need the brave actions about the government to guide too many people in the UK to address good health.
What does it mean for you
While the individual lifestyle and environmental factors can have, each can have a low role Combined impact throughout life It significantly affects health results. This is really good news. It means you have control over many aspects of your health.
Here’s Key steps You can do it today based on research:
- Let smoking – Most important change factor.
- Move more – can also help moderate exercise Get Your Fitness Goals and prevent large diseases.
- Improve living conditions – As far as possible, cleaner and safer attention.
- Start young people – Parents and educators prioritize the health habits of priority life.
- Enter a Mind-body cleaning routine Promoting mental clarity and general well-being.
Looking forward
While this study offers general perspectives, researchers recognize it yet to learn a lot. Future studies will examine the impact of diets, exposures of environmental toxins (such as pesticides and plastics) and how different populations affect these factors.
Van Duijn is added to Professor,
“In a changing environment, these techniques are critical to combine advances in intelligent technologies, to control lifestyle and environment, as well as biological data, understanding over time.”
Last thoughts
This study provides a powerful message: You have more control over your health and aging than you can think of. Genetics plays some diseases, the options you do every day, where you live, what you eat, which you are active, and whether you smoke and whether you smoke much more weight.
What is your course from this study? How do you think about your daily habits? Share your thoughts on the comments below!
Reference:
M. Austin Argtieri, Najaf All, Alejo J. Nevado-Holgado, et. Integrate the architecture of environmental and genetic aging and mortality. Nature Medicine, 2025; DOI: 10.1038 / S41591-024-03483-9
