Unlocking the secrets of living long: Insights from a recent study

Since ancient times, humans have been interested in unravelling the mysteries of how long people can live and the factors that can contribute to a long and healthy life. A recent study published in GeroScience has shown this age-old method by examining biomarkers in adults aged over 90, such as glucose and cholesterol. The study identifies and compares specific biomarker profiles of unusually long-lived individuals with those of others who have had shorter lives to date, offering new insights into the secrets of living long and what might contribute to exceptional longevity.

The research draws data from the Amoris cohort. These individuals are a sample group of 44,000 Swedes who underwent health evaluations between ages 64 and 99—followed these individuals for up to 35 years using the Swedish Register. 1,224 individuals, constituting 2.7% of the cohort, reached the mark of 100 years. Notably, the majority—85%—of these centenarians were women.

The study pointed to twelve key blood-based indicators related to metabolism, inflammation, liver and kidney function, malnourishment risk, and anaemia. Past studies have already linked these biomarkers with ageing and mortality.

“Centenarians exhibited consistently lower levels of uric acid, creatinine, and glucose from their 60s onward. Interestingly, extreme highs or lows in these biomarkers were rare among those who reached 100, despite median values not significantly different from non-centenarians.”

Both centenarians and the other individuals who did not reach 100 showed biomarker levels often falling outside the clinical norms typically established for younger, healthier populations. This deviation likely highlights the need for age-specific standards.

The study identified that all but two biomarkers—albumin and alat—showed associations with the likelihood of reaching 100 years, even after adjusting for factors like illness burden, age, and sex.

“While differences in some biomarkers were subtle, they suggest a potential link between longevity, diet, and metabolic health.”

However, the study does not draw conclusions on whether lifestyle choices or genetic predispositions drive these biomarker trends.

This research puts emphasis on the complexity of human living long and highlights the importance of understanding biomarker dynamics across the lifespan. It suggests that maintaining optimal levels of certain biomarkers, such as uric acid, creatinine, and glucose, from midlife onward may play a role in achieving the mark.

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