Centenarians, once considered rare, have become increasingly common. Since the 1970s, their population has doubled every decade, making them the fastest-growing demographic globally.
For centuries, understanding the limits of human lifespan and the factors influencing longevity has intrigued humanity.
As early as 2300 years ago, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle discussed and documented the aging process. However, uncovering the secrets of exceptional longevity requires disentangling the intricate interplay between genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors across different life stages.
A recent study published in GeroScience identifies specific biomarkers shared among centenarians, including cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Researching individuals who achieve remarkable longevity not only enhances our understanding of extending lifespan but also offers insights into promoting healthier aging.
The Secret To Living A Long Life
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Largest Study on Longevity Biomarkers
The study analyzed biomarkers among individuals who lived beyond 100 years compared to those with shorter lifespans. It involved data from 44,000 Swedish individuals aged 64 to 99, part of the "Amoris cohort," with health assessments tracked over 35 years. Among these participants, 1,224 (2.7%) reached the age of 100, with women making up 85% of this group.
The biomarkers examined spanned several domains, including inflammation, metabolism, liver and kidney function, nutritional status, and anemia. These included uric acid, total cholesterol, blood sugar, liver function enzymes (ALT, AST, albumin, and others), creatinine, and iron levels. Many of these indicators are known to correlate with aging or mortality risk.
Key Findings
The analysis revealed that centenarians consistently exhibited lower levels of blood sugar, creatinine, and uric acid starting in their 60s. While the median biomarker values between centenarians and non-centenarians were generally similar, centenarians were less likely to display extreme values. For example, individuals who lived to 100 rarely had blood sugar levels exceeding 6.5 mmol/L or creatinine levels above 125 µmol/L.
Interestingly, some biomarker values among centenarians and non-centenarians fell outside clinical guidelines. These guidelines are typically based on younger, healthier populations, which may not adequately account for older demographics.
Further analysis, accounting for age, gender, and disease burden, found significant associations between longevity and 10 out of 12 biomarkers. For instance, individuals with the lowest cholesterol or iron levels were less likely to reach 100 years. Conversely, higher levels of blood sugar, creatinine, and uric acid correlated with a lower probability of exceptional longevity.
Even slight differences in biomarker levels highlighted notable trends. Among those with the lowest uric acid levels, 4% reached 100 years, compared to only 1.5% in the highest uric acid group.
Implications and Unanswered Questions
Although the study establishes a link between certain biomarkers and longevity, it cannot definitively determine the lifestyle or genetic factors driving these results. However, it is reasonable to speculate that factors such as nutrition and alcohol consumption may influence these levels.
The findings suggest that monitoring kidney and liver function, as well as blood sugar and uric acid levels, may promote longevity. While chance may play a role in achieving extreme old age, the differences in biomarkers observed long before the end of life underscore the potential importance of genetics and lifestyle.
Understanding these connections could pave the way for interventions that improve not only lifespan but also the quality of life in old age.
