A study on the longevity of life for the centenarians

According to recent research, the fastest growing demographic group in the world is centenarians; their numbers have doubled roughly every ten years since the 1970s. 

Scientists have long been interested in uncovering the secrets behind longevity by studying the complex interplay between genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors that influence how long and healthy a person will live.

This research has discovered some common biomarkers in nonagenarians and centenarians, such as increased uric acid levels caused by certain foods and lower creatinine and glucose levels in those over 60 years old compared to peers who died earlier.

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The study, published in GeroScience, analyzed 44000 Swedes who were aged between 64 to 99 years old and were monitored through Swedish registers for up to 35 years. Only 2.7% or 1224 of these individuals lived until their 100th birthday, with a vast majority of them being female.

The study evaluated 12 different biomarkers related to inflammation, nutrition, metabolism, and organ function, with glucose, creatinine, and uric acid being the most important ones.

Although the median levels of most biomarkers did not significantly differ between centenarians and non-centenarians, those who lived to 100 years tended to have levels of biomarkers that rarely exceeded the norm.

It should be noted that the clinical guidelines that distinguish normal ranges of these biomarkers are solely based on younger and healthier populations.

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Findings show that individuals with lower levels of total cholesterol and iron were less likely to live to 100 years than those with higher levels. Similarly, those who had higher levels of creatinine, glucose, uric acid, and liver function markers were also less likely to become centenarians, although the differences observed were relatively small.

It is reasonable to assume that lifestyle factors such as nutrition intake might be responsible for these biomarker values, though this study cannot provide any conclusions showing which factors are precise.

However, keeping track of biomarker levels such as kidney function, liver levels, glucose, and uric acid could increase the chances of exceptional longevity. This research indicates the possibility of a likely link between exceptional longevity, nutrition, and metabolic health.

Good genes and lifestyle could play a crucial role in determining biomarker values, highlighting the importance of aging gracefully.