A new study has found that people with genetic risks could extend their lives by up to five and a half years if they followed a healthy lifestyle.
The study, published Monday in the BMJ Evidence-Based Medical Journal, also found that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the genetic risk of early death by 62 percent.
That number speaks volumes for Allie Garber, a member of Halifax's running community and well-known mental health and sobriety advocate.
“My grandmother had breast cancer, and my mother had breast cancer, and unfortunately, it ended up taking her life,” Gerber said.
After her mother passed away in May 2018, Gerber, a mother of two, started running and quit drinking.
Gerber has since completed the Boston Marathon twice, but says her lifestyle changes paid off well beyond the finish line.
“I've never appreciated life and my life more than I do today, and I definitely think it's because of the choices I make,” Gerber said.
Dr. Margaret Fraser, an emergency room and family physician on Cape Breton Island, said she regularly sees people who die prematurely or develop life-threatening illnesses due to poor lifestyle habits. Ta.
“Oh, almost every day. I see people in their 50s having strokes because they eat a sandwich every morning and smoke,” Fraser said.
But you don't have to go to extremes to reduce risk, she says.
“As long as you do something active every day and don't spend most of your time sitting, you can improve your cardiovascular risk factors,” she said.
Fraser added that when it comes to our genetics, some things are more difficult to control.
“While there are some diseases, such as cancer, for which lifestyle modifications do not work, we know that being at a healthy weight reduces your risk of some cancers, such as breast cancer,” Fraser said.
The study identified that the optimal lifestyle combination includes smoking cessation, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet.
Improving mental health and wellness was just as important, if not more important, to Gerber than the physical benefits.
“I really hope these choices will benefit me in the long run and allow me to be more active and be with my kids for as long as possible,” Gerber said.
The study collected data from more than 350,000 people, including information on genetics, education, socioeconomic status, medical history, and more.