Our Longevity?: Genetic Code vs. Postal Code Impact ~ Dr. Domenico Pratico', MD, FCPP
- praticolabalzheime
- May 22
- 4 min read
Which, genetics vs. postal code, is likely the most impactful on our longevity? One might be surprised to learn that a study points to the significant and more poignant impact of our postal code, and the environmental, health, food factors associated with vs. the genetic code with which we are born.
Recent research published in Nature Medicine offers an eye-opening perspective on what shapes our health and longevity. While many focus on our genetics
as the primary factor for living a long life, a comprehensive study now points to environmental influences as potentially even more important. This is good news.
This finding has significant implications: if our quality of life and life expectancy can be improved by the choices we make and the environments we inhabit, we have the power to intervene and enhance our health and longevity.
Getting a Grasp on the Study
Commonly, genetics is seen as the main driver and key component of health and longevity. However, a comprehensive study conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford shows that environmental factors—such as smoking, physical activity, obesity, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity—are approximately ten times more essential in determining healthy aging and the risk of early death compared to genetics.
The study analyzed data from nearly half a million participants in the UK Biobank, one of the largest health data repositories globally to identify the factors of premature death and major age-related diseases. By looking at various environmental factors alongside genetic risk scores for common diseases, the researchers aimed to pinpoint key contributors to premature death and prevalent age-related diseases (such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and dementia).
For example, individuals who engaged in regular exercise had a 30% lower risk of heart disease compared to those with sedentary lifestyles. Similarly, research found that even a 5% improvement in diet could reduce the risk of developing diabetes by up to 50%.
The Importance of the Exposome
The research highlights the concept of the exposome, which encompasses all environmental exposures one encounters throughout life. Age, sex, and various environmental factors account for around 66% of mortality risks. Notably, environmental elements alone explain an impressive 17% of the differences in death risk among populations compared to just 2% due to genetic factors.
For as poignant are these results one must note limitations of the study: for example, the results could be different in other countries, and other factors that were not included or considered in the study could affect health. That said, the roadmap suggested by this study is credible and validates the importance of our daily choices and habits.
The Power of Prevention
These findings promote a critical shift in our approach to health—moving the needle towards preventative medicine. Benjamin Franklin famously said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This age-old wisdom becomes particularly relevant given the new evidence: if we can modify environmental factors, we can achieve significant improvements in our health and longevity.
So, what does this mean for individuals? It’s crucial to make informed choices about diet, physical activity, and exposure to harmful substances. For instance, simply walking 30 minutes a day can dramatically enhance heart and brain health and overall well-being. Making small lifestyle adjustments and staying aware of one’s environment can lead to substantial benefits.
Key Areas of Focus
Lifestyle Choices: Regular physical activity, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking are essential for enhancing longevity.
Community Health: Factors like access to healthcare, quality air, clean water, and available resources significantly impact individual health. For example, neighborhoods with abundant parks see a 20% increase in regular physical activity among residents compared to those without.
Social Determinants of Health: Education level, financial stability, and community support can influence health outcomes not just for individuals, but for entire populations.
Embracing a Holistic Approach
As we reflect on the insights gained from this study of how longevity is impacted more by genetic code vs postal code, meaning our immediate environment, it becomes crucial to adopt a holistic view of health that goes beyond genetics. Recognizing the significant impact of environmental factors empowers individuals to take charge of their health journeys.
In practical terms, supporting community initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, improving neighborhood living conditions, and advocating for better access to healthcare can contribute to longer, healthier lives for everyone. And above all, our personal choices are critical. As we move forward, integrating this understanding into public health policies and personal life choices can lead to a brighter, healthier future for all.
This shift encourages society to invest not only in individual wellness but also in creating environments that foster well-being for all. Taking informed environmental actions today can establish a lasting legacy of health that extends far beyond our biological inheritance.
The study underscores that our life and its quality are not necessarily nor completely pre-determined by what we inherit form our parents (our genes) and that we can take action on the exposome to live healthier and longer lives.
To conclude, as I always say, please remember that it is never too early and never too late to act on most of these external factors which have such a big impact on our health and well-being.
If you are interested in reading more of my blogs:
Domenico Praticò, MD, holds the Scott Richards North Star Charitable Foundation Chair for Alzheimer’s Research and serves as a Professor and Founding Director of the Alzheimer’s Center at Temple, as well as a Professor of Neural Sciences at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
For more information on the research conducted by Dr. Domenico Pratico, please visit this link.
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Stay updated with the work happening at Dr. Domenico Pratico's lab by visiting the Pratico Lab website.
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