The secret of longevity: which biomarkers can help you live to 100 years old

A new study covering data of 44 thousand Swedes, found important indicators that can determine the chances of living to 100 years. Among the most significant factors are the levels of cholesterol, glucose and metabolic products, which differ significantly between long-lived and those who did not live to the age of a centenarian. These studies were published in GeroScience, reports UNN.

Cardinal differences in the blood of long-lived people

The researchers found that people who lived to be 100 years old generally had lower levels of glucose, creatinine and uric acid starting at age 60. Long-timers rarely had extremely high or extremely low scores.

For example, very few long-lived people had glucose levels above 6.5 mmol/L or creatinine levels above 125 μmol/L at a younger age.

For many biomarkers in both centenarians and noncentenarians, values ​​often fall outside the normal range recommended by clinical guidelines. But this may be due to the fact that these guidelines are aimed at a younger and healthier population.

The study found that all but two biomarkers (ALT and albumin) were associated with the likelihood of living to age 100, even after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities.

People with the lowest levels of cholesterol and iron were less likely to live to be 100 years old than those with the highest levels of these indicators. Also, people with high levels of glucose, creatinine, uric acid and markers of liver function were less likely to become centenarians.

The difference in indicators was insignificant for some biomarkers, but more pronounced for others. For example, the difference in uric acid levels was 2.5% points. This means that the group with the lowest uric acid levels had a 4% chance of living to age 100, while the group with the highest levels only had a 1.5% chance of living to age 100.

Although these differences were small overall, they point to a possible link between metabolic health, nutrition, and exceptional longevity.

This study does not allow us to draw conclusions about which lifestyle factors or genes are responsible for these rates. However, it’s possible that diet and alcohol consumption may play a role, the researchers said.

After all, differences in biomarkers can be seen long before death, suggesting that genes and lifestyle may also influence longevity.

Ikaria – the island of the long-lived: the resident told about the secrets of the islanders’ dietApril 12 2024, 13:46 • 22618 views

How research was conducted

Until now, studies of centenarians have often been small and focused on limited groups, such as typically not including people living in nursing homes. However, this analysis is the largest to date.

We compared the biomarkers of people who lived to be 100 years old with those of their peers who did not reach that age. We investigated how these biomarkers are related to the chances of living to 100 years

The study involved 44,000 Swedes who underwent medical examinations between the ages of 64 and 99. These people were part of the so-called Amoris cohort. Their health was then monitored using data from a Swedish registry for 35 years. Of this group, 1,224 people, or 2.7%, lived to be 100 years old, with the majority (85%) being women.

We included 12 biomarkers related to inflammation, metabolism, liver and kidney function, and possible malnutrition and anemia. All these markers have been associated with aging processes or mortality in other studies

A biomarker related to inflammation was uric acid, which is a waste product in the body that is produced when certain foods are digested.

Scientists also studied indicators related to metabolism and body functions, such as total cholesterol and glucose levels. In addition, scientists paid attention to the function of the liver.

“We studied creatinine, which is related to kidney function, as well as iron, which are indicators of anemia. And, finally, we studied albumin, a biomarker that reflects a person’s nutritional status,” the study added.

We will remind

Signs of aging pass more quickly through two periods of rapid change throughout life. A new study has shown that the greatest changes in the human body occur between the ages of 44 and 60. Scientists have discovered transformations in molecules related to metabolism and the immune system.

Veteran Harold Terence marries at 100 on Allied landing beaches in NormandyJune 10 2024, 17:35 • 116812 views