Always sick? You're probably not very smart: Intelligent people are healthier and 'genetically less likely to catch diseases'

  • Researchers analysed data from 100,000 people held in the UK Biobank
  • They compared each person's mental test data with their genome
  • The results showed disease and thinking skills share genetic influences
  • Clever people are less likely to be overweight, develop Alzheimer's and suffer from heart disease or a stroke 

Clever people are more likely to be healthier than those with a lower IQ due to a genetic link between how our bodies manage diseases and intelligence.

Researchers from Scotland analysed data from around 100,000 people held in the UK Biobank. 

They compared each person's mental test data with their genome and found that traits linked to disease and thinking skills shared the same genetic influences.  

Researchers from Scotland analysed data from around 100,000 people held in the UK Biobank. They compared each person's mental test data (stock image) with their genome and found that traits linked to disease and thinking skills shared the same genetic influences

Researchers from Scotland analysed data from around 100,000 people held in the UK Biobank. They compared each person's mental test data (stock image) with their genome and found that traits linked to disease and thinking skills shared the same genetic influences

In particular, the international team of scientists led by the University of Edinburgh found 'significant negative genetic correlations' between a person's education and verbal-numerical reasoning skills and Alzheimer's disease, coronary artery disease and strokes. 

In other words, well-educated people who excel at problem solving are less likely to contract the conditions.

HOW DNA CAN PREDICT HOW LONG YOU'LL LIVE

Scientists have identified a biological clock that could help predict a person's lifespan.

Researchers studied chemical changes to DNA to establish an individual's biological age which they compared with their actual age.

They found that people whose biological age was greater than their true age were more likely to die sooner than those whose biological and actual ages were the same.

Four independent studies tracked the lives of almost 5,000 older people for up to 14 years.

Each person's biological age was measured from a blood sample at the outset and participants were followed up during the study.

Researchers found that the link between having a faster-running biological clock and early death held true even after accounting for other factors such as smoking, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Greater risk of type 2 diabetes was also associated with leaving school or college early, and lower verbal-numerical scores.

Clever people were also less likely to be overweight. 

The team found there was a negative genetic correlation between body mass index and verbal-numerical reasoning, while a greater risk of high blood pressure was associated with lower education.

The researchers explained: 'Our results provide comprehensive new findings on the overlaps between cognitive ability levels, genetic bases for health-related characteristics such as height and blood pressure, and physical and psychiatric disorders even in mostly healthy, non-diagnosed individuals.

'They make important steps toward understanding the specific patterns of overlap between biological influences on health and their consequences for key cognitive abilities.

'For example, some of the association between educational attainment - often used as a social background indicator - and health appears to have a genetic [cause].'

However, the team added: 'It has not escaped our notice that there are multiple possible interpretations of these genetic correlations.

Earlier this year the scientists found 'significant negative genetic correlations' between a person's education and verbal-numerical skills and Alzheimer's disease (CT scans pictured), coronary artery disease and strokes

In particular, the scientists found 'significant negative genetic correlations' between a person's education and verbal-numerical skills and Alzheimer's disease (CT scans pictured), coronary artery disease and strokes. In other words, well-educated people who excel at problem solving are less likely to contract the conditions

SMART PEOPLE LIVE LONGER 

The results of the latest Edinburgh-based study build on previous research that found 95% of the link between intelligence and life expectancy is genetic.

Using a study on twins, experts from the London School of Economics found brighter twins tend to live longer and noted the pattern was much more pronounced in fraternal - non identical - twins, than identical pairs.

By looking at both fraternal twins - who only share half their twin's DNA - with identical twins, researchers were also able to distinguish between genetic effects and environmental factors, including housing, schooling and childhood nutrition.

'Not only might particular genes contribute both to cognitive and health-related traits, but genetic variants relating to health conditions could have indirect effects on cognitive ability and vice versa, [on] lifestyle choices.'

As an example, poorly educated people may be less likely to make informed choices about what they eat and how much they drink.

The study is not all good news for intelligent people, though. 

The team did find that the genetic variants associated with obtaining a degree were also related to a higher genetic risk of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism.

Edinburgh University Professor Ian Deary, who led the research, said the study could help in understanding some of the links between low levels of cognitive function and poor health. 

Psychologist Saskia Hagenaars, who worked on the research, added: 'The study supports an existing theory which says that those with better overall health are likely to have higher levels of intelligence.'

Clever people were also less likely to be overweight (stock image). The study is not all good news for intelligent people, however - the team did find that the genetic variants associated with obtaining a degree were also related to a higher genetic risk of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism

Clever people were also less likely to be overweight (stock image). The study is not all good news for intelligent people, however - the team did find that the genetic variants associated with obtaining a degree were also related to a higher genetic risk of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism

The UK Biobank, launched in 2007, is a major long-term investigation into the respective contributions of genetic predisposition and environmental exposure in the development of disease.

The findings are published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. 

The results build on previous research that found 95 per cent of the link between intelligence and life expectancy is genetic.

Using a study on twins, experts from the London School of Economics found brighter twins tend to live longer and noted the pattern was much more pronounced in fraternal - non identical - twins, than identical pairs.

By looking at both fraternal twins - who only share half their twin's DNA - with identical twins, researchers were also able to distinguish between genetic effects and environmental factors, including housing, schooling and childhood nutrition.

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