Centenarians, once considered rare, have become commonplace. Indeed, they are the fastest-growing demographic group of the world’s population, with numbers roughly doubling every ten years since the 1970s. How long humans can live, and what determines a long and healthy life, have been of interest for as long as we know. Plato and Aristotle discussed and wrote about the ageing process over 2,300 years ago. The pursuit of understanding the secrets behind exceptional longevity isn’t easy, however. It involves unravelling the complex interplay of genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors and how they interact throughout a person’s life.
Recent research published in GeroScience has unveiled some common biomarkers, including levels of cholesterol and glucose, in people who live past 90. Nonagenarians and centenarians have long been of intense interest to scientists as they may help us understand how to live longer, and perhaps also how to age in better health. The study compared the biomarker profiles of people who went on to live past the age of 100, and their shorter-lived peers, to investigate the link between the profiles and the chance of becoming a centenarian. The research included data from 44,000 Swedes who underwent health assessments at ages 64-99, and were followed for up to 35 years.
The study focused on twelve blood-based biomarkers related to inflammation, metabolism, liver and kidney function, as well as potential malnutrition and anaemia. Uric acid, a waste product in the body caused by the digestion of certain foods, was found to be related to inflammation. Other markers included levels of total cholesterol, glucose, alanine aminotransferase (Alat), aspartate aminotransferase (Asat), albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (Alp), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), creatinine, iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and albumin.
Findings and Results
The research discovered that centenarians tended to have lower levels of glucose, creatinine, and uric acid from their sixties onwards. The study found a connection between most biomarkers and the likelihood of reaching 100, even after accounting for age, sex, and disease burden. People with higher levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid, and markers for liver function were found to have a decreased chance of becoming a centenarian. The differences in biomarkers, although sometimes small, suggest a potential link between metabolic health, nutrition, and exceptional longevity.
While the study does not provide definitive answers about which lifestyle factors or genes are responsible for biomarker values, it does suggest that factors such as nutrition and alcohol intake may play a role. Monitoring kidney and liver values, as well as glucose and uric acid as individuals age, may be beneficial. Additionally, the study hints that genetics and lifestyle choices may also influence exceptional longevity, as biomarker differences were observed long before death.
Understanding the role of biomarkers in determining exceptional longevity is a complex and ongoing process. By studying the biomarker profiles of centenarians, researchers hope to uncover valuable insights into aging, health, and longevity. The findings of this study underscore the importance of monitoring key biomarkers throughout life and making informed lifestyle choices to promote healthy aging. Further research in this area is crucial to unraveling the mysteries of longevity and improving quality of life for individuals as they age.
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