Afghanistan, June 6 -- Individuals may have far greater control over their health and longevity than previously believed, with lifestyle and environmental factors accounting for up to 80% of age-related health outcomes, according to a study presented at a conference in Oxford.
The research, conducted by a group of British experts in medicine, physiology, aging and public health, argues that most chronic illnesses associated with old age are influenced more by behavior and living conditions than by genetics alone. The authors described the 80% figure as a conservative estimate based on existing scientific evidence.
The researchers pointed to evidence suggesting that many of the factors linked to longer life expectancy and healthier aging a...