Plato and AristotleAristotle were already wondering about aging more than 2,300 years ago. Today, modern science is trying to unlock the secrets of exceptional longevity. A Swedish study published in GeroScience in October 2023 sheds new light on this fascinating subject. By analyzing the blood of people who lived to be a hundred years old, researchers identified distinctive biological markers that could explain their extraordinary longevity.
Centenarians: a growing phenomenon
Once rare, centenarians are now the fastest growing demographic group in the world. Their numbers have doubled every ten years since the 1970s. This phenomenon raises many questions about the limits of human longevity and the factors that determine a long and healthy life.
The study of centenarians is of particular interest to scientists because it could help us understand how:
- extend life expectancy;
- improve the quality of life of older people;
- prevent diseases related to aging.
On the other hand, unlocking the secrets of this exceptional longevity is not an easy task. It involves untangling the complex interplay between genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors throughout a person’s lifespan.
A revolutionary study on the blood of centenarians
The Swedish study, the largest of its kind to date, compared the biomarker profiles of people who lived to be a hundred years old with those of their peers who died earlier. The researchers analyzed the health data of 44,000 Swedes aged 64 to 99, followed for 35 years using national registers.
Among these participants, 1,224 people (or 2.7%) reached the age of one hundred. Remarkably, 85% of centenarians were women. The study examined twelve blood biomarkers linked to inflammation, metabolism, liver and kidney function, as well as malnutrition andanemiaanemia potential.
Key differences in centenarian blood
The study results revealed subtle, but significant differences in the blood profile of centenarians compared to their peers:
- Lower levels of certain biomarkers: People who reached age 100 generally had lower levels of glucose, creatinine, and uric acid starting at age 60.
- Absence of extreme values: centenarians rarely had very high or very low values for most biomarkers. For example, few had a glucose level above 6.5 or a creatinine level above 125 earlier in their lives.
- Impact on the probability of reaching 100 years of age: ten of the twelve biomarkers studied were linked to the probability of becoming a centenarian, even after taking into account age, sex and diseases.
These findings suggest a potential link between metabolic health, nutrition and exceptional longevity. Although the study cannot draw conclusions about the genetic or lifestyle factors responsible for these biomarker values, it opens new avenues for research into healthy aging.
Implications for health and longevity
The results of this study raise important questions about how we can influence our longevity. Although the observed differences are relatively modest, they suggest that certain factors can be modified to improve our chances of living longer and healthier lives.
Here are some practical implications of these findings:
- Monitor your blood biomarkers regularly, particularly after age 60.
- Pay particular attention to glucose, creatinine and uric acid levels.
- Adopt a lifestyle that promotes good metabolic health.
- Maintain a balanced diet to prevent malnutrition.
It is important to note that if these biological factors play a role, luck probably also plays a role in reaching an exceptional age. Nevertheless, the differences observed in biomarkers long before death suggest that GenoaGenoa and lifestyle have a significant influence on our longevity.
Ultimately, this groundbreaking study reminds us that the quest for longevity is a complex journey, influenced by a multitude of factors. Although we can’t all become centenarians, understanding the secrets of the blood of exceptionally old people could help us live longer, healthier lives.
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