The number of centenarians has been steadily increasing, with numbers roughly doubling every ten years since the 1970s. As humans age, understanding the secrets behind exceptional longevity has become a pressing concern. Researchers have long sought to unravel the complex interplay between genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors that contribute to aging.
A recent study published in GeroScience has unveiled common biomarkers associated with people who live past 90. The researchers compared the biomarker profiles of exceptionally long-lived individuals, known as centenarians, to those of their shorter-lived peers. The study included data from 44,000 Swedes, aged 64-99, and found that all but two of the 12 biomarkers studied showed a connection to the likelihood of reaching 100 years.
The findings suggest that metabolic health, nutrition, and lifestyle factors may play a role in exceptional longevity. People with lower levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid, and markers for liver function were more likely to reach 100 years. Conversely, those with higher levels of these biomarkers had a decreased chance of becoming centenarians.
While the study does not determine which lifestyle factors or genes are responsible for the biomarker values, it highlights the importance of monitoring kidney and liver values, glucose, and uric acid as people age. Chance may also play a role in reaching an exceptional age, but the observed differences in biomarkers suggest that genetic and lifestyle factors also contribute to aging.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/the-blood-of-exceptionally-long-lived-people-suggests-crucial-differences