A large study of 1,745 people with diabetic kidney disease found that following eight key healthy lifestyle habits significantly reduced their risk of dying. These habits include eating well, staying active, not smoking, getting good sleep, and maintaining healthy weight, cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. For every 10-point improvement in their healthy lifestyle score, people had a 12% lower risk of death. The benefits were consistent across different age groups, genders, and backgrounds, suggesting these simple lifestyle changes could help millions of Americans with this serious diabetes complication live longer.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether following eight key healthy lifestyle habits affects how long people with diabetic kidney disease live
  • Who participated: 1,745 American adults with diabetic kidney disease from a national health survey spanning 2005-2018
  • Key finding: Each 10-point improvement in healthy lifestyle habits was linked to a 12% lower risk of death from any cause
  • What it means for you: If you have diabetic kidney disease, focusing on basic healthy habits like better diet, exercise, and sleep may help you live longer, but work with your doctor on any changes

The Research Details

Researchers used data from NHANES, a large ongoing survey that tracks the health of Americans over many years. They identified people with diabetic kidney disease and scored them on eight healthy lifestyle factors: diet quality, physical activity, not smoking, sleep quality, healthy weight, good cholesterol levels, controlled blood sugar, and normal blood pressure. Each factor was scored, then combined into a total score out of 100 points. The researchers then tracked who died over the following years and looked for patterns between lifestyle scores and death rates.

This type of long-term tracking study is valuable because it follows real people in their everyday lives rather than artificial lab conditions. It can show whether healthy habits actually translate into longer life, not just better test results.

The study used a large, nationally representative sample and followed people for many years. Researchers carefully accounted for other factors that might affect results like age, income, and other health conditions. However, as an observational study, it can show associations but can’t prove that the lifestyle changes directly caused people to live longer.

What the Results Show

The study found a clear relationship between healthier lifestyle scores and lower death rates. People with higher scores on the Life’s Essential 8 were significantly less likely to die during the study period. Specifically, each 10-point increase in the lifestyle score corresponded to a 12% reduction in death risk from any cause. This relationship appeared to be linear, meaning the benefits continued to increase as lifestyle scores got better, without hitting a ceiling. The researchers used advanced statistical methods to confirm this pattern held true even after accounting for age, sex, race, education, income, and other health conditions.

While the study also looked at deaths specifically from heart disease, the results for cardiovascular mortality weren’t statistically significant, though they trended in the same protective direction. The lifestyle benefits were consistent across different subgroups of people, including men and women, different age groups, and various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

This study extends previous research on Life’s Essential 8 by focusing specifically on people with diabetic kidney disease, a high-risk group that hadn’t been studied as thoroughly. The findings align with broader research showing that comprehensive lifestyle approaches are more effective than focusing on single health behaviors.

As an observational study, it can’t prove that lifestyle changes directly caused people to live longer - there might be other unmeasured factors involved. The study relied on people self-reporting some behaviors like diet and exercise, which isn’t always perfectly accurate. Also, the study couldn’t account for changes in lifestyle habits over time, only measuring them at one point.

The Bottom Line

If you have diabetic kidney disease, focusing on all eight lifestyle areas together appears more beneficial than targeting just one or two. Prioritize getting quality sleep, eating a heart-healthy diet, staying physically active, avoiding tobacco, and working with your healthcare team to optimize your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

This research is most relevant for people diagnosed with diabetic kidney disease, but the lifestyle principles likely benefit anyone with diabetes or kidney problems. People without these conditions shouldn’t assume the same specific benefits apply to them.

The study tracked people for several years, so benefits likely accumulate over time rather than appearing immediately. Expect gradual improvements over months to years of consistent healthy habits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your Life’s Essential 8 score monthly by monitoring diet quality, exercise minutes per week, sleep hours, smoking status, BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol numbers
  • Set small, achievable goals in each of the eight areas rather than trying to perfect everything at once - even modest improvements in your total score may provide meaningful benefits
  • Use the app to log daily habits like meals, exercise, and sleep while scheduling regular check-ins with your healthcare provider to track the medical measurements like blood pressure and blood sugar

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. People with diabetic kidney disease should work closely with their healthcare providers before making significant lifestyle changes, as some modifications may need to be tailored to individual medical conditions and medications.