Over the past few decades, the number of centenarians in the world has been steadily increasing, with their population doubling every ten years since the 1970s. The question of how long humans can live and what factors contribute to a long and healthy life has been a topic of interest for centuries. While Plato and Aristotle discussed aging over 2,300 years ago, the quest for understanding exceptional longevity remains a complex and challenging endeavor.
A recent study published in GeroScience shed light on some common biomarkers that may be associated with living past the age of 90. This study compared biomarker profiles of individuals who lived past 100 years old with those who did not, offering valuable insights into potential predictors of exceptional longevity. The study included data from 44,000 participants in the Amoris cohort in Sweden who underwent health assessments at ages 64-99, with 1,224 individuals living to be 100 years old.
The study examined twelve blood-based biomarkers related to inflammation, metabolism, liver and kidney function, malnutrition, and anemia. Among these biomarkers, uric acid, total cholesterol, glucose, creatinine, and markers for liver function showed potential connections to longevity. The findings revealed that centenarians tended to have lower levels of glucose, creatinine, and uric acid from their sixties onwards compared to their shorter-lived counterparts.
The study found that most of the biomarkers, except for two, were linked to the likelihood of reaching 100 years of age. Individuals in the lowest groups for total cholesterol and iron levels had a lower chance of becoming centenarians, while higher levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid, and certain markers for liver function decreased the likelihood of living to 100. The differences in biomarker levels between centenarians and non-centenarians, although relatively small, suggest a potential link between metabolic health, nutrition, and exceptional longevity.
While the study did not pinpoint specific lifestyle factors or genes responsible for the observed biomarker values, it hinted at the role of factors like nutrition and alcohol intake in longevity. Monitoring kidney and liver values, along with glucose and uric acid levels, as individuals age may offer insights into their likelihood of reaching an exceptional age. Additionally, while chance may play a role in longevity, the study’s findings suggest that genes and lifestyle choices also contribute to living past 100 years old.
The journey to understanding exceptional longevity is a complex and multifaceted one, involving the interplay of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. While factors like inflammation, metabolism, and organ function may impact longevity, the study emphasizes the importance of monitoring biomarkers over time and making informed lifestyle choices to potentially increase the chances of living a longer and healthier life.
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